Pediment in the Temple of Artemis at Corfu

Where is the prescribed pediment located?

On the west side of the temple

What column structure is the temple?

Doric order structure

How long is the pediment?

22m long

How tall is the pediment?

3.2m high at the apex

How many limetsone slabs is it made from?

Nearly 20 limestone slabs in deep relief

What is the central narrative on the pediment?

Medusa is running about to be beheaded. Her death is foreshadowed by her two offspring, Pegasus and Chrysaor.

What narrative is happening in the right corner of the pediment?

Zeus attacks a giant (gigantomachy)

What narrative is happening in the left corner of the pediment?

Possibly a seated Priam and a dead Trojan warrior.

What material is the sculpture made from?

Limestone

When is it dated to?

Early archaic, 590-580 BC

What part of Greece is the temple located in?

Corfu

What archaic features does the figure of Medusa have?

• Archaic smile that was stylistic of that period making her look ‘alive’

• Large insectoid eyes

• Groove lines to define musculature e.g. biceps, knees

• Long beaded hair

• Left foot forward running pose

How is Medusa characterised?

Her full frontal face with insectoid eyes, bared teeth and snake belt, which hides her impossible twist make her more terrifying to the ancient Greek viewer.

How is the figure of Chrysaor typical of the Archaic period?

• Gulll wing eyebrows

• Archaic smile

• Fringe of volute curls

• Large insectoid eyes

• Arm covering up the impossible twist at his waist

What is the purpose of Chrysaor and Pegasus within the pediment?

They foreshadow the death of medusa

How is detail created in the figures of Zeus and the Giant?

• Zeus’ left foot forward pose

• Zeus throwing a lightning bolt

• Archaic smile and large eyes on the giant

How is the sculptor successful at unity of theme?

• Panthers decorous to a temple of Artemis (the huntress)

• Figures of Pegasus and Chrysaor decorous to the death of medusa

How is the sculptor not successful at unity of theme?

• 3 different myths on one pediment

• Zeus (the head of gods) not in the centre but at the sides

• Where is Perseus the key character in the death of Medusa?

How is the sculptor successful at unity of scale?

• The large size (3m+) of medusa does fit the apex of the pediment well

• The panthers are of a similar proportion to the over life size medusa

How is the sculptor not successful at unity of scale?

• Zeus is much smaller than medusa and the panthers

• Medusa’s odd crouching pose because the sculptor had to squeeze her into the pediment

• under life size seated king contrasts panthers

Scholarly quote

What does Woodford say about this pediment?

It is successful because ‘the artist had not tried to do too much’