IT’S an iconic classical work of art – and now a Burnley museum has got two of them.

The pair of reproductions of the Discobolus or ‘discus thrower’, are on display at Towneley Hall, one in the art gallery and one in the Green Regency Room.

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They are copies of a previous statue excavated at Hadrian’s Villa, near the town of Tivoli, and was Charles Towneley’s last major purchase.

He then had it added to Zoffany’s 1782 picture of himself, which is hung behind the sculpture and features works of art he had collected.

The statues, which were produced by sculptor Andy Lendzion and are made from aggregate white marble and cement, were bought and gifted to the museum by the Towneley Hall Society.

The statues were delivered in two parts, the arm and discus being separate to the body.

Staff there then assembled them before going on display.

Robert Drake, events manager at Towneley Hall, said: “They look very impressive when you enter the room.

“They are a striking white and quite large and imposing.

“It’s also interesting that the sculpture can be seen on the painting alongside it.”

The original Greek Discoblous is thought to have been produced 460-450 BC.

The bronze is lost but the work is known through numerous Roman copies, both full-scale ones in marble, which was cheaper than bronze.

The discus thrower is depicted about to release his throw.

As always in Greek athletic sculptures, the Discobolus is completely nude.

Andy Lendzion is an artist working from studios in London and Southern France.

He trained at St Martins School of Art as a sculptor.

In recent years Lendzion has worked with the British Museum and a collaboration with curators and academics has given him an insight into restoration.

This experience with the museum has informed his latest work – the Greek Gods project.