metopes Flashcards
When and where is the Herakles and the
Kerkopes metope?
Metope from Temple C at Selinus in Sicily
c575-550BC
What is the story behind Herakles and the
Kerkopes metope?
One day when he was sleeping, the Kerkopes (= woodland spirits) stole Herakles’ weapons
Herakles caught up with them and carried them off,
suspended upside down on a pole across his shoulders.
What is some backround knowledge about the Herakles and the
Kerkopes metope?
Metope = approx 1.5m tall but carved in very shallow relief
a very 2D feel / minimal rounding of the figures
Comprises three bold figures and instantly recognisable from the story
Material = limestone
What is the compositional structure of Herakles and the
Kerkopes metope?
Central focus- Herakles ‘ upper torso,
Balanced by Kerkopes’ shape mirrors each other
What is the compositional structure on the Herakles and the
Kerkopes metope?
Dominant central figure, taking up most of the available space
Impossible twist to create a sense of movement
Walking but both legs straight and flat on the ground.
“composition that reflect the Archaic time period” M and S
What typical archaic characteristics can be seen on the Herakles and the
Kerkopes metope?
full frontal feel, no twists in torso/pectorals/knees., Symmetrical faces, archaic smile, bug eyes, and heavy eye: eyelid parallelism, some attempt at anatomy H’s calf muscles)
When and where is the Augean Stables, Cretan Bull, Apples of the Hesperides metopes?
Metopes of the Temple of Zeus at Olympia (465-457BC)
Why was the Augean stable metope was given a special place on the temple of zues?
local myth (same river used in the myth.
A more mature Herakles as indicated by beard “confident, in the midst of action” (Woodford)
In this metope, Herakles is more reliant on his (Athene-inspired) intelligence, than his strength it represents the triumph of civilisation over barbarism
What is the compositional stucture of the Augean stable metope?
Athene’s calm vertical figure offering a strong contrast to the feverish activity of Herakles - dynamic arms and legs
his dynamism shown by strong opposing diagonals formed by his arms, legs and paddle.
Athene hold her arm roughly parallel to Herakles.
Apart from her helmet, Athene is depicted as “a supportive, approachable deity” (M and S)
Athene’s peplos, falls in broad, simple folds see the distribution of her weight and the impact of her breasts
What is the story behind the Cretan bull metope?
Herakles was sent to capture this fierce beast which was terrorising the land. it is another triumph of civilisation over barbarism
What is the compositional structure of the Cretan bull metope?
Simple but powerful composition, two powerful diagonals reaching out to the four corners of the metope two contestants strain away from each other
What are the artistic observations on the Cretan bull metope?
Creation of depth: position of Herakles v Bull, Bull’s head emerging
Anatomical detail: Herakles’ torso - heavily muscled and asymmetric abdominals to reflect his effort and action.
detail around the Bull’s eye and its snout
What is the story behind the Apples of the Hesperides metope?
Herkales has to get an apple from Hesperides garden so he got Atlas to do it while Herkales hold the sky with the help of Athena for atlas.
What is the compositional structure of the Apples of the Hesperides metope?
Three powerful verticals each body is at a subtly different angle to the viewer, avoiding repetition.
What are the artistic observations of Atlas on the Apples of hesperides metope?
Atlas at the right, holding out the apples in his outstretched arms,”with cautious admiration” [Osborne]; Relaxed pose, weight on left leg, asymmetric hips, three-quarter torso.
What are the artistic observations of Herakles on the Apples of hesperides metope?
the enforced stillness of Herakles as he labours to hold up the sky. entirely in profile, head bowed to reflect effort, legs rigidly straight
Static pose to reflect his feat of strength, offering a contrast with the dynamism of, say,
the Cretan Bull metope
What are the artistic observations of Athena on the Apples of hesperides metope?
Athene, wearing a heavy peplos with deep, sparse folds and with her weight on her left leg. stands full frontal but turning in support to Herakles as she effortlessly helps him.
“Athene is supportive, but yet distant, and
her support costs her no effort” [Osborne]
Hairstyle of a women
