Pediments
- Created by: Robert Sykes
- Created on: 23-05-14 15:55
Temple of Artemis - Corcyra
580BC Archaic
Medusa the gorgon in the centre. Chryasor on her left and Pegasus on her right
Two panthers a compositionally symmetrical
Giantomachy to right, King Priam to the left
Dead men in the corners. Although lying down, hair isnt affected by gravity
No unified story, all unrelated
Made of limestone
No unity of scale, Priam is tiny in comparison to Medusa
Archaic features on medusa, smile, beaded repetitive hair
Giant's head profile but body frontal
East Pediment, Siphnian Treasury - Delphi
c525BC
Depicts Apollo and Heracles fighting over the trident
Uniform story and scale
Zeus is the focal point of the pediment as he is king of the gods
Heracles legs face the opposite way to the rest of his body, impossible
Foreshortening is used because it is designed to be seen from far below
Story related to Apollo as it is in the Sanctury at Delphi
West Pediment, Temple of Athena Aphaia - Aegina
500-490BC
Archaic
Depicts second Trojan War and Ajax besieging Troy
Very basic
Symmetrical composition based around Athena in the centre 6-1-6
Drapery on Paris is very basic and would have been simply painted on
No strain in Paris' muscles as there would be if drawing a bow
Long hair used to support the neck
Dying warrior in left corner has very basic musculature and an uncomfortable pose
The archaic smile detracts from the fact that he should be dying, and would therefore be unlikely smiling
East Pediment, Temple of Athena Aphaia - Aegina
490-480BC Classical
1st Trojan War. Expedition of Telamon and Heracles to Troy
Earlier war scene, later pediment
Less cluttered, but still symmetrically composed around Athena 5-1-5
Much more realistic
The back of Athena's aegis was elaboratly decorated despite the face no human eye would ever see it. Emphasises made for the god not just to be seen by people
Archers face inwards, directing the view to the centre
Heracles drapery falls below his waist. His arms muscles are tensed and stressed as he draws his bow
Dying warrior looks like he is struggling and he looks weak. You can see emotion in his face by the way he looks down, defeated. Shows great development from the West Pediment
East Pediment, Temple of Zeus - Olympia
c470-456BC
Parian Marble
Depicts Pelops v Onimaos race to win Hippodameia as his bride
Symmetry of composition
No action in the scene
Corners were personifications of rivers in Olympia to set the scene. Claudius and Aupheus. (they both have flowing drapery)
Seer is great example of depiction of age. Sense of foreboding and nervousness. Holds his had up to his face as if biting his nails. Sagging skin and has a beard. Contrasted by a young boy next to him who is picking his toes, clearly bored
West Pediment, Temple of Zeus - Olympia
c470-456BC - Classical
Centauromachy, wedding of Perithoos
Impression of chaos through an order scuplture
Uses shape to advantage, having people on the floor apparing to be hiding in the corners
Parian marble
Uniform scale
Facial expressions on the women emphasise the fear of the situation
Flow of drapery on the women being grapple with a centaur, contrasts with the beast like centaur
Centaurs depicted as barbaric, one grabbing the breast of a female Lapith
West Pediment, Parthenon - Athens
5th Century BC
Depicts the contest between Poseidon and Athena to be the patron of Athens
The olive tree was believed to have been in the centre, flanked by Athena and Poseidon
Again there is the personification of two rivers in the corners Illisos and Kallshoe
Illisos' drapery gives the impression that it is flowing, like a river
All parts of the pediment are free standing and carved in the round
East Pediment, Parthenon - Athens
5th Century BC
Depicts the birth of Athena on Mt Olympus
Just after she had been born out of Zeus' head fully armoured
Symmetrical composition of figures
On the right hand side the chariot of Selene (the moon) landing, horse looks exhausted, mouth open as if gasping for breath
Helios' chariot is rising on the other side, full of energy as they have just started their journey
Leto, Artemis and Aphrodite have heave catanaries emphasising their breasts. Aphrodite's drapery the most illusionary transparent
Heavy folds of Aphrodites drapery contrast from the light folds of the couch, showing she is seperate
Leto is full frontal view, Artemis 3/4 and Aphrodite is profile, giving contrast in pose
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