'Discobolus' by Myron

By definition the very opposite of either modern, post-modern or even romantic art, the Discobolus of Myron is a Roman copy of a fifth century Greek original of 'the perfect athlete.'

It's 'classical' sculpture not so much because it's so old, but because it strives (and achieves) perfection; because it eschews movement and instead evinces harmony -- depicting that point in the athlete's swing when when rotation is at its maximum and release is imminent, when backswing and release are in equilibrium; creating the classical ideal: a single rhythmic pose of a movement without freezing the motion.

There used to be a copy of the Discobolus on the stairs inside the Auckland Museum, which made a huge impression on me as a youngster, but now unfortunately the sculpture inside is mostly junk.