Preview
Creation Year
May 1905
Image ID
W.065
Alternate Identifier
B22.065
Subcollection
W: Attica, Crete, Santorini
Abstract
Metopes (relief sculptures) on the Athenian Treasury depicting the deeds of Theseus. These metopes, modern copies of the originals, were painted in vibrant colors and inlaid with bronze in places. They stretch the bounds of relief sculpture, with figures twisting out of the stone and extending above the stone block in certain panels.
Description
Metopes on the East side of the Treasury of Athens. Although constructed after the battle of Marathon in 490 BCE, the artistic style of the treasury is firmly Archaic, visible in some recovered metopes. It was the first mainland greek building with metopes on all sides, and there were a total of 30 metopes on the treasury depicting legendary scenes from the adventures of Theseus and Hercules, as well as both their fights against Amazons, or their Amazomachies. The metopes pictured are 1906 copies of the original metopes, now held in the Delphi Archaeological Museum, and depict deeds of Theseus. The metopes are carved in high relief, with some figures leaping and twisting out of relief, and were decorated with bright colors and inlaid bronze in places. The metopes were found scattered around the area, and there are several theories for their original placement and theme groupings. The copies pictured are, from left to right, Metope 2: Theseus and a Brigand, Metope 4: Theseus and Skiron (DH.81), Metope 3: Theseus and Kerkyron, and Metope 6: Theseus and the Bull of Marathon. Details of modern theories of the original placement, as well as images of the original metopes, can be found in Gensheimer 2017.
References
Barber, Annabel, Charles Freeman, and Nigel McGilchrist, eds. Greece: The Mainland. 7th ed. 452. London, NY: Blue Guides Ltd., Somerset Books, 2007
Maryl B. Gensheimer. “Metaphors for Marathon in the Sculptural Program of the Athenian Treasury at Delphi.” Hesperia: The Journal of the American School of Classical Studies at Athens 86, no. 1 (2017): 1–42. https://doi.org/10.2972/hesperia.86.1.0001
Neer, Richard. “The Athenian Treasury at Delphi and the Material of Politics.” Classical Antiquity 23, no. 1 (2004): 63–93. https://doi.org/10.1525/ca.2004.23.1.63
Image Notes
Photograph created August 9th, 1958. Processing date unknown. Formerly catalogued as B22.065. Notes written on the slide or index: Delphi - Pediment of Athenian Treasury.
Image Format
35 mm slide
Geographic Reference
Delphi, Greece
Image Location
Rights Statement
