Pedinmental sculpture Flashcards

1
Q

List all of the pediments in order

A
Temple or Artemis at Corcyra 
Siphnian Treasury at Delphi
Temple of Aphaia at Agenia west
Temple of Aphaia at Aegina east 
Temple of Zeus at Olympia east
Temple of Zeus at Olympia west 
Parthenon west 
Parthenon east
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2
Q

Which pediment was the first to put a god in the apex ?

What did this do for scale ?

A

Siphnian treasury

God filling the apex aided the scale of the pediment as it would justify this figure being the tallest to fill the shape. Gods are bigger than mortals

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3
Q

Describe the temple of Artemis at Corcyra’s composition ?

How is this successful and unsuccessful with scale and theme ?

A

Apex filled with gorgon medusa
Her children - Pegasus and Chrysaor are next to her
( a lot smaller than her , lapse of scale however could be justified as that’s her parent)
(Parental theme link)
Quadrupeds utilised next to this
(Fit into the scale of the pediment with their heads higher than their bodies facing into the triangular shape)
(No clear theme link) (monstrousness ?)
Then gods vs Titans stab
Greeks vs trojans
(Complete loss of scale as gods and titans are the same size)
(Theme ? Monstrousness)
Then corpses in the corner
(Complete loss of scale as calf nearly as big as Trojan/Greek/titan/ god figure)
(Theme - monstrousness)

Overall, scale - lost completely in gods and titans, quadrupeds used well
Theme - generous- monstrousness but more likely quadrupeds and dead bodies used to fit the scale
No clear link to Artemis

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4
Q

Symbolism of the temple of Artemis at Corcyra ?

Was this successful ?

A

Nigel Spivey argues that this pediment is symbolic of allegiance / control of Corinth - the original home polis of which Corfu was a colony. This is because in Corinth, medusa features heavily on the coinage

Success ?
Bit of a stretch. Not clear symbolism

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5
Q

How is the temple of Artemis at Corcyra definitively archaic ?

A

Medusa has an archaic smile
Figures creepily frontally emphasised including corpses
Symmetry in medusa with intertwining snake belt, mirrored quadrupeds, similar battles and corpses in the corner.
Medusa’s swastika limbs showing difficultly with 3/4 turn
Archaic hair

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6
Q

Why might you like the temple of Artemis at Corcyra ?

A

Mad energy!

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7
Q

Who does the gorgon look like on the temple of Artemis at Corcyra ?

A

Tamblin

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8
Q

Which 2 pediments are relief sculpture ?

A

Temple of Artemis at Corcyra

Siphnian treasury at Delphi

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9
Q

Despite putting a god in the apex at the siphnian treasury at Delphi, how is the scale compromised in the central scene ?

A

Apollo and Artemis are next to him and are smaller.
This undermines the effectiveness of putting a god in the apex which only works surrounded by mortals, to justify its height

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10
Q

What is the myth associated with the siphnian treasury ?

A

Heracles fights Apollo and Artemis for a tripod that he takes in an attempt to cleanse himself of bloodshed

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11
Q

Describe the composition of the siphnian treasury ?

How is it successful / not successful in terms of scale and theme ?

A

Zeus central figure
Artemis and Apollo next to him ‘fighting’ over a tripod
(Figures are smaller which undermines scale)
(Figures don’t seem to be fighting because of technical inabilities just standing with arms out - inconsistent with theme)
Fighting with Herakles
Around them are figures with quadropeds
(Scale is lost as quadropeds are not fully utilised with one facing down the pediment)
( thematic link here is unclear )

Overall , loss is scale despite putting god in apex
Central theme deteriorates down the pediment

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12
Q

How is the siphnian treasury definitively archaic ? (2)

A

Herakles has a harsh twist with his head directly opposite his feet
Struggles to depict 3/4 turn.
This arguably undermines the narrative

Similar poses of Apollo Artemis conveys archaic repetition and could also reflect the fact they are siblings

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13
Q

Any symbolism or link to place of the siphnian treasury ?

A

Link to Delphi which is the home of the story

No explicit symbolism

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14
Q

What is the first pediment to SUCCESSFULLY use a god in the apex

A

Temple of Aphaia at Aegina west

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15
Q

Which temple is half archaic half classical?

A

Temple of Aphaia at Aegina

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16
Q

What is the symbolism of the temple of Aphaia at Aegina ?

A

Glories Aegina’s towering heroic figures which celebrates Aegean prestige through these heroes.
This may be in response to Athenian rivalry - Perikles of Athens called Aegina the “eyesore of the Piraeus”, the Aegeans used ‘aphaia’ instead of ‘athene’ because it sounded like Athens

Developed symbolism

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17
Q

Describe the WEST Pediment of Aphaia at Aegina’s composition and it’s successes/ failures with scale and theme

A
Archaic one 
Aphaia in the apex in typical archaic form 
(God in apex - scale)
Wears aegis - in line with war theme 
(War as a unifying theme)
Pair of combatants
(Smaller - scale)
(War as a unifying theme)
Archer 
Jumpsuit and hat to indicate identity, would rely on being painted rather than sculpting for identity 
(On knees - scale) 
Dying warrior - frontal emphasis
(Scale - lying down) 
(Theme- war, however smiling arguably ruins it) 

Overall, successful in scale putting god in apex and in theme war is used to unify it.
Traditional archaic setbacks however arguably undermine the narrative and therefore theme e.g. Dying warrior

18
Q

Describe how APHAIA from the west pediment of Aphaia at Aegina is definitively archaic ?

A
Aphaia 
Potent hulking goddess like Berlin Kore 
Frontal emphasis 
Archaic hair 
Archaic smile 

Pattern emphasis with the shape of the shield (a circle) repeated showing archaic interest in geometry

19
Q

Describe how other figures other than Aphaia on the WEST pediment of the temple of Aphaia at Aegina are definitively archaic ?

A

Archer
Less vigorous movement relying on painting for identification rather than sculpting.
Archaic limitations

Dying warrior 
-struggles in 3/4 turn 
-frontally emphasised 
-archaic hair 
- archaic smile 
/ awkward limbs repeat geometric triangular shapes
20
Q

Which pediment delivers the Trojan war ?

Which warriors are depicted
On which side of the pediment

A

Temple of Aphaia at Aegina

Ajax - west
Telemon- east

21
Q

Describe the composition of the EAST pediment of the temple of Aphaia at Aegina in relation to scale and theme ?

A
Aphaia in apex 
(Scale - god in apex) 
(War as unifying theme ) 
Warriors fighting 
(Scale - allows for various positions going down pediment) 
(Theme - war as a unifying theme) 
Archer 
(On knees - scale ) 
(Theme - war) 
Dying warrior - 
(Scale - fit into corners) 
(Theme - war)
22
Q

How is the EAST pediment of the temple of Aphaia at Aegina more successful than the WEST pediment in terms of technical developments contributing to a better THEME ?

A

Aphaia - modelling , more realistic , female proportions

Archer - realistic muscle definitions, lion hat for Herakles identification, muscles show movement
(Vigour in statue fits more realistically into theme of war)

Dying warrior -
No frontal emphasis
Realistic 3/4 turn
Looks down with dignity - 5th century war depiction !!!
Looks solemn clings to shield for life
(Fitting into scale and theme realistically)

23
Q

What is the significance of the EAST pediment of Zeus at Olympia ?

A

Myth of the chariot race is the foundation of the Olympic Games so is appropriate to the pediment’s location

The river gods that are in the pediments corners are rivers that the race was run between

24
Q

How does the east pediment of Zeus at Olympia create static tension ?

A

Little interaction - conveys intensity of pre race
All figures looking inward minus the youth conveys tension as it draws you further into the tense central scene
The prophet / seer conveys a gesture of anxiety looking into the race as if seeing what’s to come - further conveys tension of narrative

The child next to the seer picking his feet unaware of events further highlights the tension as he is unaware of it

25
Q

Outline the composition of the east pediment of the temple of Zeus at Olympia

A
Zeus in apex 
(Scale - god fills apex ) 
(Theme - judge of the race )
Pelops and onemaos
(Smaller - scale) 
(Theme - the racers about to race) 
Hippodameia and Sterope 
Horses 
(Scale - quadropeds ) 
(Theme - chariot race)
Spectators 
(Scale - different levels of watching)
(Theme - in line with myth)
River gods 
(Scale - on the ground ) 
(Theme - outline the race boundaries) 

Scale and theme consistent throughout with intimate link to location

26
Q

How is the EAST pediment of Zeus at Olympia traditionally 5th century ?
How is it not ?

A

All figures classically idealised ( except seer of onemaos )
- heroic nudity and age conveyed to distinguish between Pelops and onemaos

  • Seer of onemaos - covered, not heroic nudity , saggy stomach, receding hair line , in contrast to the typical 5th Cent aesthetic
  • realistic 3/4 river gods turn
27
Q

What is the myth depicted in the east pediment of the temple of Zeus at Olympia

A

Pelops and onemaos chariot race for Hippodaemia.
Onemaos has divine horses
Pelops bribes groom to sabotage chariot

Foundation of Olympic Games

28
Q

What is the myth depicted on the WEST pediment of the temple of Zeus at Olympia

A

Centaurs vs Lapiths
Lapith king invites centaurs
Centaurs become drunk and try to abduct Lapith women

29
Q

What is the symbolism of the WEST pediment of the temple of Zeus at Olympia

A

Centaurs vs Lapiths
Civilisation vs Barbarity
Greeks vs Persians

Depicting the struggle of centaurs vs Lapiths further glorifies the Greek civilised victory in the Persian wars (Darius 490 ‘marathon, xerxes , 480, salamis) as it was difficult to get there

30
Q

Describe the composition of the WEST pediment of the temple of Zeus at Olympia

A
Apollo in apex 
(Scale - god in the apex) 
(Commands brawlers to stop - theme ) 
Lapiths and centaurs violent fight 
(Scale - fall in line with shape of pediment) 
Women looking in 
(Scale - fit into pediment ) 
(Theme - fight would have been observed)
31
Q

Describe 2 interactions between figures on the West pediment of the temple of Zeus at Olympia and how they link to the pediments overall theme

A

Centaur seized Lapith woman

Drapery is ripped off 
Women elbows centaur in face 
Centaur has unruly beard to convey beastial nature and unruly desires 
(Theme) 
Moral horror of human and bestial limbs

Centaur bites Lapith

Highlights animalistic nature (theme)

32
Q

How does Apollo add to the symbolism on the west pediment of the temple of Zeus at Olympia.

A

He commands the fight to stop
He is classically idealised giving him power emphasising the distance between mortals and gods

He is in support of the Lapiths
Therefore representative of the civilised Greeks .

This contributes to the 5th century notion of Greeks being instruments of the gods destroying the transgressive Persians

33
Q

What classic term could the myth of the west pediment at the temple of Zeus at Olympia be classed as

A

AGON

34
Q

Describe the myth associated with the WEST pediment on the Parthenon

A

Athene and Poseidon fight over patronage of Athens.

35
Q

What is the symbolism behind the WEST pediment on the Parthenon

A

Two powerful deities fight over Athens’ favour, this glorifies the polis and the people of Athens.

  • after Delian league money taken - power of Athens showcased
36
Q

Describe the composition of the west pediment on the pathenon in terms of scale and theme

A

2 Gods fill apex leaning outwards in combat
(Scale - 2 gods , fits with them being the biggest)
(Theme - in line with myth)
Quadropeds
(Scale - fit well in composition)
People of Athens reacting down the pediment
(Scale - different positions fit in pedimental shape)
(Theme - fit in like with the myth)
Overall
Scale and theme consistent with the two central deities the only divine figure in the pediment

37
Q

What can be said about the individual figures on both the pediments on the Parthenon ?

A

Quality is extraordinary with perfected modelling

38
Q

How is the west pediment on the Parthenon dynamic ?

A

Deities leap to either side creating movement which is highlighted by the raised horses .
This dynamism trickles down the pediment in reactions by various Athenians

39
Q

What myth does the EAST pediment on the Parthenon depict ?

A

Birth of Athene - bursting from Zeus’ head fully armed

40
Q

Describe the composition of the EAST pediment on the Parthenon in terms of scale and theme ?

A

Zeus and Athene fill the apex after Athene bursts from his head
(In line with scale- two deities in apex)
(In line with theme as myth is depicted accurately)
The news of Athene’ birth then trickled down the pediment with some figures looking in in awareness and some looking away
(Scale - lost here !!!! As these are all deities which are smaller than the central deities )
(Theme - in line with people finding out about her birth)
Horses of Helios (left and Selene (right) fill the corners
(Scale - innovative solution to the problems of the pedimental corners)
(Theme - conveys that the pediment’s narrative occurred in one day - advanced ! )

Overall - theme is consistent
Some scale innovations but overall is undermined by the surprising smaller deities