British Museum Parthenon Room [18a and b]
unknown (British cast maker)
Download7A3-G-BM-EM-7-A16_cp.jpg (385Kb)
Alternative Title
Elgin Marbles: Plaster Cast Room
Date
1837-1937Description
Block 15; "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 sculptures were presumably washed by some means in Elgin's possession. They must have been washed again in 1816, when casts were made of them by the sculptor Richard Westmacott, and washed again around 1836-1837, when they were moulded for the second and last time. The cast room allows visually impaired visitors a touch tour of the frieze and Parthenon model. Source: British Museum [website]; http://www.britishmuseum.org (accessed 6/14/2009)
Type of Work
replica; model (representation)Subject
architectural exteriors, Museology, Restoration and conservation, teaching collection, museum education, reproductions, Nineteenth century, Twentieth century
Rights
Rights Statement
Licensed for educational and research use by the MIT community only