Parthenon Sculpture: East Pediment
Phidias
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Alternative Title
Elgin Marbles: East Pediment
Date
-447--432Description
Right side, side view of three goddesses; "Elgin Marbles" is a popular term for the collection of sculpture from the Parthenon acquired by Lord Elgin in Athens between 1801-1805. The collection includes other works from the Acropolis as well. The Parthenon sculpture includes roughly half of what now survives: 247 feet of the original 524 feet of frieze; 15 of 92 metopes; 17 figures from the pediments, and various other pieces of architecture. The central section of the east pediment of the Parthenon showed the birth of Athena. The myth was not often depicted in classical times, although it had been popular in the Archaic period, especially on vases. The figures include the reclining god Dionysos, three goddesses (perhaps Hestia, Dione and Aphrodite), and the head of a horse of the goddess Selene. Source: British Museum [website]; http://www.britishmuseum.org (accessed 6/14/2009)
Type of Work
sculpture (visual work)Subject
architectural exteriors, deities, mythology (Classical), Museology, Greek (ancient), Classical
Rights
Rights Statement
Licensed for educational and research use by the MIT community only