Pedinmental sculpture Flashcards
List all of the pediments in order
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
Which pediment was the first to put a god in the apex ?
What did this do for scale ?
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
Describe the temple of Artemis at Corcyra’s composition ?
How is this successful and unsuccessful with scale and theme ?
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
Symbolism of the temple of Artemis at Corcyra ?
Was this successful ?
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
How is the temple of Artemis at Corcyra definitively archaic ?
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
Why might you like the temple of Artemis at Corcyra ?
Mad energy!
Who does the gorgon look like on the temple of Artemis at Corcyra ?
Tamblin
Which 2 pediments are relief sculpture ?
Temple of Artemis at Corcyra
Siphnian treasury at Delphi
Despite putting a god in the apex at the siphnian treasury at Delphi, how is the scale compromised in the central scene ?
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
What is the myth associated with the siphnian treasury ?
Heracles fights Apollo and Artemis for a tripod that he takes in an attempt to cleanse himself of bloodshed
Describe the composition of the siphnian treasury ?
How is it successful / not successful in terms of scale and theme ?
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
How is the siphnian treasury definitively archaic ? (2)
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
Any symbolism or link to place of the siphnian treasury ?
Link to Delphi which is the home of the story
No explicit symbolism
What is the first pediment to SUCCESSFULLY use a god in the apex
Temple of Aphaia at Aegina west
Which temple is half archaic half classical?
Temple of Aphaia at Aegina
What is the symbolism of the temple of Aphaia at Aegina ?
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
Describe the WEST Pediment of Aphaia at Aegina’s composition and it’s successes/ failures with scale and theme
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
Describe how APHAIA from the west pediment of Aphaia at Aegina is definitively archaic ?
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
Describe how other figures other than Aphaia on the WEST pediment of the temple of Aphaia at Aegina are definitively archaic ?
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
Which pediment delivers the Trojan war ?
Which warriors are depicted
On which side of the pediment
Temple of Aphaia at Aegina
Ajax - west
Telemon- east
Describe the composition of the EAST pediment of the temple of Aphaia at Aegina in relation to scale and theme ?
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)
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 ?
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)
What is the significance of the EAST pediment of Zeus at Olympia ?
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
How does the east pediment of Zeus at Olympia create static tension ?
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
Outline the composition of the east pediment of the temple of Zeus at Olympia
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
How is the EAST pediment of Zeus at Olympia traditionally 5th century ?
How is it not ?
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
What is the myth depicted in the east pediment of the temple of Zeus at Olympia
Pelops and onemaos chariot race for Hippodaemia.
Onemaos has divine horses
Pelops bribes groom to sabotage chariot
Foundation of Olympic Games
What is the myth depicted on the WEST pediment of the temple of Zeus at Olympia
Centaurs vs Lapiths
Lapith king invites centaurs
Centaurs become drunk and try to abduct Lapith women
What is the symbolism of the WEST pediment of the temple of Zeus at Olympia
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
Describe the composition of the WEST pediment of the temple of Zeus at Olympia
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)
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
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)
How does Apollo add to the symbolism on the west pediment of the temple of Zeus at Olympia.
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
What classic term could the myth of the west pediment at the temple of Zeus at Olympia be classed as
AGON
Describe the myth associated with the WEST pediment on the Parthenon
Athene and Poseidon fight over patronage of Athens.
What is the symbolism behind the WEST pediment on the Parthenon
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
Describe the composition of the west pediment on the pathenon in terms of scale and theme
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
What can be said about the individual figures on both the pediments on the Parthenon ?
Quality is extraordinary with perfected modelling
How is the west pediment on the Parthenon dynamic ?
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
What myth does the EAST pediment on the Parthenon depict ?
Birth of Athene - bursting from Zeus’ head fully armed
Describe the composition of the EAST pediment on the Parthenon in terms of scale and theme ?
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
