Architectural Sculpture?

What material is the Temple of Artemis made of?

Limestone

How is the pediment on the Temple of Artemis at Corcyra archaic in style? (6)

• Inconsistent chronology — Medusa is depicted with her children Pegasus and Chrysaor, despite them being born from her blood when she was decapitated

• Undeveloped use of space — Zeus and a giant depicted very small in the corner of the pediment

• Archaic focus on symmetry — one child, one feline, one scene of conflict (Neoptolemus killing King Priam and Zeus wielding a thunderbolt against a giant who holds him off with two hands), and one dead figure on either side of Medusa

• Medusa is in the archaic running-kneeling pose with winged sandals which mimics movement and probably implies she is running from Perseus

• The figures are in very shallow relief

• Rigid anatomy e.g. Medusa’s hair (also all human figures have egyptian-style hair and bulged eyes) and drapery, and the stiff limbs of figures in the conflict scenes

What is the theme of the Temple of Artemis at Corcyra?

Civility overcoming barbarity

How is apotropaism presented on the pediment of the Temple of Artemis at Corcyra?

• Medusa and the felines face the observer

• Medusa is adorned with 6 snakes — two in her belt, two emerging from either side of her torso, and two from either side of her hair

• Medusa has exaggerated and bulged eyes and sticks her tongue out

What kind of temple was the Temple C at Selinus? What was it made from?

Doric in limestone

How is the metope from the Temple C at Selinus archaic in style? (3)

• Still moment within a moving scene — kerkopes hang rigidly upside down while Herakles is twisted impossibly facing forwards but his legs to the side

• Symmetry in the kerkopes e.g. both bound the same, both with arms crossed, both have 3 strands of hair falling from either side of their head

• Egyptian-style hair and bulged eyes

How are the figures differentiated on the metope of the Temple C at Selinus? (3)

• The kerkopes have the archaic smile while Herakles remains neutral

• Herakles’ thigh is more muscular than the kerkopes

• Herakles’ twisted torso heroically displays his broad shoulders and chest

How does the artist who made the metope from Temple C at Selinus use space effectively? (2)

• Herakles’ legs fill the gap between the kerkopes

• the kerkopes hanging upside down fills space either side at the top of the metope and their bent legs creates a geometric pattern

What myth does the metope from the Temple C at Selinus depict?

The kerkopes are forest spirits that tried to steal Herakles’ weapons — he suspended them upside down as punishment but they amused him and so he freed them eventually.

Where was the Siphnian treasury located?

Along the Sacred way — pilgirms would have passed the North side specifically

What four scenes are depicted on the Ionic frieze of the Siphnian treasury?

North: Gigantomachy

East: Trojan War with gods in council

South: Abduction of Helen or Persephone

West: Judgement of Paris

What did Herodotos say about the Siphnians?

They were the richest of the islanders because of their gold and silver mines

How are the gods depicted on the Siphnian treasury? (4)

• On the East their seated bodies take up the full height which depicts them as bigger than mortals

• They overall appear identical with minor occasional attributes e.g. on the East, Ares has a shield, Zeus has a more regal chair, and by who they are next to (eg Ares and Aphrodite, Aphrodite and Artemis, Aphrodite and Apollo)

• On the North, Artemis and Apollo are in mirrored pose and they are shooting arrows typical of their roles

• On the North, depinti is used to identify figures

How does the Siphnian treasury frieze create depth and realism? (3)

• Overlapped figures such as Apollo and Artemis on the North frieze

• Overlapped horses create patterns by their legs and tails particularly on the West and South

• Overlapped shields of giants on the North

How is the frieze from the Siphnian treasury typically archaic? (3)

• Rigid poses of the gods as well as very rigid drapery

• Egyptian-style hair

• Rigid poses of those in action e.g. stiff legs of soldiers

What is significant from the East frieze from the Siphnian treasury?

To the left of the gods Achilles (right) and Memnon (left) fight over the body of Antilocus. This corpse looks out at the viewers which sends the message to fear the gods.

What is significant from the North frieze from the Siphnian treasury?

The giants are in Greek Hoplite armour which again warns mortals against their wrath

Temple of Aphaia at Aegina — why where Aegina and Athens rivals?

Both Athens & Aegina were rival thalassocracies that laid claim to Telamon (seen on the East pediment) and Ajax (his son, depicted on the West) as their patrons: they are likely depicted as a symbol of ownership.

What are the two theories on the style differences between the pediments on Temple of Aphaia at Aegina?

A) Some hypothesise that the Archaic West was completed pre-480 BCE Persian wars, and the Early Classical East completed much later, which would explain the artistic gap.

B) Others (inc. Robin Osborne) argue that both pediments were created after the Persian wars, sculpted simultaneously by different groups in communication, creating deliberately contrasting styles to show different attitudes about the wars

What is the narrative of the West pediment of the Temple of Aphaia at Aegina?

Trojan war

How is the West pediment on Temple of Aphaia at Aegina typically Archaic?

• Symmetrical layout

• Rigid poses

• Braided hair and bulged eyes

What is thanatos kalos

Heroic death — soldiers are nude on the Temple of Aphaia at Aegina

What is the narrative of the East pediment of the Temple of Aphaia at Aegina?

Earlier sacking of Troy led by Herakles

How is the East pediment on Temple of Aphaia at Aegina typically Early Classical?

Less focus on symmetry, more sombre tone

Compare Athene on the pediments of the Temple of Aphaia at Aegina

West

• Static pose as well as soldiers facing away – presence is merely symbolic 

• Drapery alludes to the form of the leg – however, folds are entirely rigid and columnar through the centre (although this may be representative of her power)

• Wearing the aegis

East

• In media res and fragments of figures facing towards her shows that her presence is now involved

• Wielding the aegis: apotropaic and powerful

Compare Herakles and Paris on the pediments of Temple of Aphaia at Aegina

Paris (West)

• Phrygian dress: longer hair, long-sleeved clothing, leather cuirass & eastener’s hat. He is differentiated from the rest of the Greeks.

• Firing arrow incorrectly: arms not straightened, not leaned back (no momentum), poor centre of balance (seen as front foot is not flat to the floor). He does not embody power and is characterised as an inferior, non-Greek “other”

  Herakles (East)

• Identifiable attributes: adorning the Nemean lion skin as a headdress

• Defined skeletal system, seen for example via the bones in his tensed hand

• Pose embodies power: straight arm, flat foot, leaned slightly back. Signs of skilled archery as a Greek warrior. 

Compare the dying warriors on the pediments of the Temple of Aphaia at Aegina

West

• Archaic smile perhaps reflects their honourable death

• Triangular patterning made by limbs and symmetrical braids reveals the archaic focus on geometry and symmetry

• Rigid & posed position disrupts the realistic depiction of death

East

• Addition of the shield develops the narrative and appeals to pathos as it failed to protect him

• Individuality – bearded shows his age

• Veins are visible in his ankle, and there is a smoother curve to his body which is more naturalistic

• His face aims downwards and adorns the severe expression, again evoking pathos

What is the Temple of Aphaia at Aegina made from

Limestone

How was the Temple of Zeus at Olympia funded?

Spoils of a war between Elis and Pisa. Elis were defeated so they gave funds for the temple.

What is the subject matter of the West Pediment on the Temple of Zeus at Olympia?

Centauromachy at the wedding of Perithous and Deidameia

Who were the centaurs a metaphor for on the Temple of Zeus at Olympia??

Metaphor for the Persian wars. Centaurs were barbarians who didn’t know how to water their wine, therefore getting drunk and being violent and lustful. The way they are characterised matches Herodotus’ description of Persians — barbaric, eastern, hedonistic, excessive, and lacking self-control.

How are centaurs and lapiths contrasted on the West pediment on the Temple of Zeus at Olympia? (4)

• Greek figures retain civilised and dignified expressions (e.g. the flared nostrils of a lapith being bitten) which juxtaposes the centaurs (who scream in anguish). 

• The lapiths in the centre (Perithous and Theseus) hold weapons over their heads, while the centaurs all brawl with their hands and teeth barbarically. 

• Deidameia is seen elbowing Eurytion in the face, and peeling his hands from her waist simultaneously. 

• The exposed breasts of some women are atypical for the time and must be used to show the barbarity of the centaurs; however, their expressions remain neutral, again to retain dignity.

How is space used effectively on the West pediment of the Temple of Zeus at Olympia?

• Apollo presides over the scene as the god of order and justice, emboldened by his neat and static pose. His arm looming over the scene is particularly imposing but displays restraint. 

• Figures overlap and interact: a scene of ongoing struggle (as opposed to the static scene on the East).

What is the subject matter of the East Pediment on the Temple of Zeus at Olympia?

One of the foundation myths of the Olympian games: the chariot race of Pelops and King Oinomaus, for the hand of Hippodameia.
Pelops famously cheated by bribing the slave-boy Myrtilos to change the king’s linchpins to beeswax fakes, in order to win. He later murdered him by throwing him into the sea; while Myrtilos fell he cursed Pelops’ bloodline.

How is space used effectively on the East Pediment on the Temple of Zeus at Olympia

• Solution to fill the space remains a god presiding at the apex (Zeus, god of judgement) – however it also follows social hierarchy. 

• There is also a mirror-image (though not symmetrical) arrangement of figures, which makes the scene more static.

How are the protagonists depicted on the East Pediment on the Temple of Zeus at Olympia?

• Men:

Oinomaus (right) has his mouth hanging open, in the middle of telling the rules of the race, with his hand on his hip. 

Pelops (left) is juxtaposed as he is nude (heroic) and beardless, showing strength and youth.

• Women:

Sterope (right) has her head in her hand and her arm across her chest.

Hippodameia (left) adjusts her bridal veil (foreshadowing).

The women are not at all differentiated besides this small action.

What is narratively innovative about the East Pediment on the Temple of Zeus at Olympia?

• Seer & child:

The seer Iamos shows advancement in the depiction of age: sagging chest, forehead wrinkles, and balding. He displays a worried expression as he can see into the future: seen through his clenched first, distant gaze, and severe look.
This is contrasted and emphasised by the child beside him, who plays with his toes in boredom.

Augean stable metope at Olympia: how is space used effectively? (3)

• Herakles creates cross diagonals which fills space and juxtaposes Athene standing vertically with only one arm outstretched diagonally: frantic and mortal versus stable and divine

• Both figures look towards the action, drawing the eye to it

• Dynamic equilibrium in balanced X-pose of Herakles

Augean stable metope at Olympia: how is Athene presented? (4)

• Victory of intelligence as he directed the river Alpheios through the stable — Athene is the goddess of wisdom

• She stands frontally and in a similar pose to Apollo on the West pediment — serenity

• Identified by her helmet

• Her drapery alludes to her leg and chest

Cretan bull metope: how is space used effectively? (2)

• Diagonal, mirrored poses and tense eye contact establishes a dynamic scene of conflict

• Crossed diagonals would have filled all four corners of the pediment

Cretan bull metope: how is Herakles presented? (3)

• Herakles displays heroic nudity: Iliac crest, Curiass Aesthetique, and severe look encapsulates a strong and ideal Greek hero

• Herakles stands in front of the bull to display the musculature but also as symbolic of his victory

• Herakles’ stretched torso and poised arm elevates him as a threatening opposition. The abdominals are dramatic but smoothed

• Pertains to heroic idealism of the Early Classical period

Apples of Hesperides metope: how is space used effectively? (2)

• Figures subtly stand in different perspectives: front, side, and side-tilted to still reveal the male torso of Atlas

• The spacing of the figures and Atlas’ outstretched arms fill the space of the metope

Apples of Hesperides metope: How is Athene presented? (3)

• Drapery falls loosely and naturally under raised arms, and layer around the torso: allows artist to display greater depth of skill (contrasts the rest of the figures’ nudity)

• Lacks normal war gear: less violent scene

• One arm raised behind and in support of Herakles’: minimal effort, as she is divine

Apples of Hesperides metope: How is Herakles presented? (2)

• Herakles’ limbs unstrained but he uses two arms, and his head is weighted under the heavens: shows he is strong, but not as strong as Athene

• Vertical lines = still, less frantic scene: Herakles uses mental skill rather than physical labour

What is the subject matter of the Parthenon West pediment?

Athene & Poseidon’s competition for Athenian patronage; The competition took place on the acropolis and Athene’s olive tree stood only a few yards North.

why and how does the Parthenon West pediment still honour Poseidon?

Athene won, however the pediment still honours Poseidon as it was believed thanks to his help that they became such a strong naval power: the pediment faces Salamis, the site of a naval Greek victory over the Persians.

How does the Parthenon West pediment utilise space effectively & ineffectively?

• Athene & Poseidon would have likely pulled away from eachother at crossing diagonals, at the apex of the pediment – representative of conflict and competition.

• Proportional issue: all figures are of divinity however they all stand at different scales throughout the pediment.

How do the Parthenon pediments display wealth?

Musculature is intricately carved even at the back of the pediment (sculpted in the round) — as seen by the idealised musculature on the surviving torso of Poseidono

Analyse the remnants of Iris and Hermes.

• The remnants of Iris (messenger) displays excellency in drapery: natural and sporadic catenary folds accentuate the breasts, thin fabric blowing in wind reveals stomach and thigh, and the movement of the extended leg.

• Remnants of Hermes’ torso show idealised musculature via deep Iliac crest.

Compare Ilissos (River god from the Parthenon West pediment) (5) and Kladeos (river god from the Temple of Zeus East pediment) (5).

Olympia East:

• Thin drapery — folds mimic lapping water ripples

• Defined musculature and youthful bodies show abundance and strength of Athenian landscape

• Locates myth

• Exaggerates muscles, schematic rib-cages, unnatural rotation of the bodies embody a stunt in naturalism and juxtaposes the nature of water

• Heavy eyelids: severe style

Parthenon West:

• Locates the myth

• Relaxed & naturally twisting pose

• Drapery laps smooth and naturally flowing, like a river

• Less protruding ribs — adds complexity rather than drawing the eye in alarm

• Thigh muscle gently distinguished from the fat

What is the subject matter of the East Parthenon pediment?

The divine birth of Athene from Zeus’ head after Hephaestus split it with an axe.

How does the East Parthenon pediment utilise space effectively? (2)

• Left = Helios’ chariot (Sun) & Right = Selene’s chariot (moon): innovative technique to indicate the progression of time. 

• Flow of news is observable extending from the apex: reclined figures look away while closer figures observe and interact. 

How is Dionysos depicted?

• Dionysos is heavily idealised: he appears youthful and has a cuirass aesthetique. He also has short, typically Greek hair, and may have previously held a kantharos. 

How are the lounging women depicted? (2)

• Lounging women: catenary folds enhance the feminine form and modelling lines reveal the shape of the leg beneath and create heavy shadows, visual contrast, and complexity, creating a 3D effect. The wet drapery technique is also used.

• Motion lines along the drapery of the central figure proposed to be the cupbearer Hebe, conveys movement towards the scene. 

Why is the Parthenon frieze inaccessible?

Placed at 40ft high over the temple’s porches, on the outer cella walls. Only glimpsed in intervals and at a steep angle, from very close to the temple.

What is the subject matter of the Parthenon frieze?

The Great Panathenaia

West - procession starts & gathers

North & South - procession

East - peplos scene & gods

What is innovative about the layout of the Parthenon frieze?

Viewers would see the West first as they form their procession and then walk alongside the North or South side, to reach the entrance at the East. Mirrors the experience

How are people individualised on the Parthenon frieze? (4)

• Men have a shared depiction in idealised musculature and short Greek hair — however they are all doing something different eg some are on horses, some beckon others, and some are standing

• Horses are doing different things — galloping, standing, or neighing

• Women are draped with intricate chitons and himations in deep relief and some carry different offerings such as a libation bowl and an incense burner

• The frieze shows a hectaomb and notably one cow is individualised as it is raising its head in protest, which breaks the idealism of the piece

What are the two theories regarding the cavalrymen?

• May represent the Marathon (against the Persians) dead as there are 192 men, which matches the number of those who died there according to Herodotos. Makes sense since the Parthenon was rebuilt after the Persian Wars.

What are the two theories on the East frieze?

• Centre scene is either the sacrifice of Erectheus’ daughter (unlikely as human sacrifice was not a part of mythology) or the presentation of the peplos to Athene Polias in the Erectheion, as part of the procession.

  This previously would have been painted for easier identification.

How does David Stuttard say the gods on the Parthenon are depicted innovatively?

• arranged from underworld to overworld = dark to light — mirrors the procession from the kerameikos to the acropolis

How are the gods individualised on the Parthenon frieze? (5)

• Hermes has his travellers hat and winged sandals

• Dionysus would have held his missing thyrsus

• Demeter holds her torch and makes a gesture of grief with her right hand

• Ares would have had a spear resting on his shoulder and sits in pose mimicking the Ludovisi Ares

• Hera plays with her marital veil and talks with Zeus

How is Parthenon metope 26 successful & unsuccessful? (5)

• He is turned outwards to show his torso however it is is shallowly etched & anatomy is unusual — centaur has no neck, short legs, and an elongated torso (probably edited to fit the space) However he does have the sane unwily beard/moustache, and beastly grimace — akin to those on the Zeus West pediment

• Drapery awkwardly falls from behind the lapith — does not effectively fill space nor create drama

• Prevailing verticals is oxymoronic as an action scene

• Lapith stands in an impossible pose: weight shifted incorrectly. The figures also make awkward contact where his is kicking the centaur.

• Probably a freestanding sculptor as the anatomy is acceptable, but the composition is notably poor.

How is Parthenon metope 27 successful & unsuccessful? (5)

• Dramatic catenary folding of drapery draws the eye to the victorious lapith and makes him fill more space, showing both sculptural and compositional skill

• Exaggerated musculature is evident and the lapith beholds heroic nudity infront of the centaur to display victory and strength

• Parting diagonals in opposite directions fills space and creates high tension, conflict, and drama and shows the lapith as winning but the centaur is being pulled by the lapith and is therefore losing. The two also overlap which adds depth to the composition

• The centaur appears rather short and stout, which again alludes to minor compositional struggle

• Lots of different lines - curved drapery, upright lapith, and horizontal centaur

How is Parthenon metope 28 successful & unsuccessful? (4)

• Very unique insight into the narrative, showing a prevailing centaur rather than lapith

• The centaur leaping upwards with his tail swinging and his outstretched limbs creates foreboding power and fills space, while the lapith beneath fills space beneath said figure

• Lolling head of lapith and curved torso is accentuated by the curved draper — antagonising. expression however is not seen as it was removed by Christians

• The hide held by the centaur acts as an emblem of exoticism, adding to the prevailing depiction of centaurs as ostracised ‘others’

What was the subject matter of the doric frieze on the Parthenon?

North - Trojan War

East - Gigantomachy

South - Centauromachy

West - Amazonomachy

What context affects the Bassae frieze?

Peloponnesian Wars — Civil war between Sparta and Athens left Greeks feeling disillusioned with identifying who the enemy was.

How does the Bassae Frieze depict Lapiths? (3)

• More graceful towards centaurs eg a centaur bites a lapith who stabs him at the same time — more equal strength

• A woman is seen clinging to a statue for help which is supposed to symbolize divine protection

• A woman is seen being pulled by a centaur while she is carrying her child

How does the Bassae Frieze depict Amazons? (3)

• Many figures such as a dying Amazonian woman look out towards the viewer — she also has her breast exposed which is shocking to ancient audiences

• Individuality eg in one slab, one Amazon fights a man while another lifts a dying Amazon who’s body is limp

• Drapery billows in the wind adding more aesthetics over narrative but contrasts nicely with thin chitons of Amazons eg dying Amazon motion lines

How does the Bassae Frieze depict centaurs? (3)

• Compositional issues eg lack of neck or using the body of a lapith to hide the impossible pose of the centaur biting a lapith neck

• Dying centaur beneath this scene has very long arms and very short legs

• Unwily hair, frown lines, and engorged features

How does the Bassae Frieze utilise space?

• Both uprights, diagonals, and verticals eg an Amazon woman strewn ontop of a collapsing horse

How does the Bassae Frieze depict Herakles? (3)

Herakles appears short and stocky: may correspond with the move away from idealism, or perhaps due to a scaling/compositional issue — again his torso faces outwards to show off his musculature.

His Namean lionskin is draped over his shoulder.

He stands at cross diagonals with an Amazon, reminiscent of the Cretan Bull metope.