Gymnast Throwing a Sphere ('The Bowler')

Leonhard Kern

National Gallery of Art

The sculpture depicts a nude male figure in a dynamic, forward-leaning pose with his left leg bent at the knee and right leg extended behind him. He holds a sphere or ball in his hands as if preparing to throw it. The sculpture has a rich brown color, a smooth surface highlighting musculature, and anatomical details, emphasizing a lifelike quality. Positioned on a rectangular base, it shows the left side of the figure, displaying detailed work on the hair and facial features. The representation captures the strength and grace of the human form in motion.