pediments

Question 1

What is the backround context about the temple of Artemis west pediment?

Answer 1

Doric Order Temple of Artemis at Corcyra, dated to c.590-580 BC. West pediment made of painted limestone. shallow relief.

Question 2

What artistic observations can we see about Medusa on the temple of artemis pediment?

Answer 2

archaic smile and large eyes, long beaded hair, impossible twist, hidden by snake belt, Left foot, forward running pose, groove lines, groove lines, polychromy

Question 3

What artistic observations can we see about Chrysaor on the temple of Artemis pediment?

Answer 3

archaic smile and a fringe of volutes, large eyes & gull-wing eyebrows, impossible twist, long patterned hair, The presence of Chrysaor and Pegasus foreshadows the death of Medusa.

Question 4

What artistic observations can we see about the gigantomachy on the temple of Artemis pediment?

Answer 4

beaded hair, groove lines, Zeus throwing a thunderbolt
Left foot forward pose, archaic smile and large eyes, zues smaller than medusa (anthropomorphic)

Question 5

What story is on the Left corner of the temple of artemis?

Answer 5

body and seated man threatened by spear, probably Priam.

Question 6

What two animals are flanking Medusa on the temple of Artemis?

Answer 6

Panthers ,groove lines, gull wings and volutes.

Question 7

In what ways does the sculptor communicate a narrative on the temple of Artemis?

Answer 7

Medusa’s monstrous character: e.g. her size, snakes, body language & scary facial expression,
Pegasus and Chrysaor’s presence foreshadows Medusa’s imminent death,
Giant’s kneeling pose v Zeus’ attacking pose with the prop communicate imminent victory,
horizontal pose of figure in right corner possibly communicates death of hero.

Question 8

To what extent does the pediment on the temple of artemis have a unity of theme?

Answer 8

Yes: panthers decorous to a temple of Artemis (the huntress) & figures of Pegasus and Chrysaor decorous to death of Medusa.

No: three different myths on one pediment (separated by panthers), Zeus (the head of the gods) not in the centre, but close to one of the corners and where is Perseus, the key protagonist in the death of Medusa?

Question 9

To what extent does the pediment on the temple of artemis have a unity of scale?

Answer 9

Yes: the large size (3m+) of Medusa does fit the apex of the pediment well, the panthers are a similiar proportion to the over life-size Medusa,

No: Zeus (the head of the gods) much smaller than Medusa and the panthers, Medusa’s odd crouching pose (knee close to ground) because the sculptor had to squeeze her into the pediment, and under life-size seated king (perhaps Priam) clashes with the over-life size panthers.

Question 10

What are the artistic observations on the dying warrior on the west side on the temple of Aphaia?

Answer 10

archaic smile even though he is dying, long beaded hair, pulling out bronze arrow from torso, crossed legs create multiple planes, smooth anatomical transitions, action arm left arm holding his own weight, frontal reclining pose

Question 11

What are the artistic observations on the dying warrior on the east side on the temple of Aphaia?

Answer 11

shield supports dying warrior, twisting reclining pose, more accurate anatomy e.g. shin, muscles & veins, action arm pushes down on his sword, limp hand evokes pathos

Question 12

What is the backround context about the temple of Aphaia?

Answer 12

Doric order limestone temple built in c.510-480 BC across late archaic to early classical periods and the Persian Wars.

Question 13

What is the context of the East pediment on the temple of Aphaia?

Answer 13

early classical (c.490-480 BC) during the Persian Wars,
Myth: sack of Troy led by Herakles,

Question 14

What is the context of the West pediment on the temple of Aphaia?

Answer 14

late archaic (c.510-500 BC) as the start of the Persian Wars,
Myth: sack of Troy led by Agamemnon,

Question 15

What are the artistic observations of athena on the east side on the temple of Aphaia?

Answer 15

Fragmented but no archaic smile

Question 16

What are the artistic observations of athena on the west side on the temple of Aphaia?

Answer 16

In the apex, archaic smile sheild and spear, decorated fringe, fluting and folds in the drapery

Question 17

What are the artistic observations on the archer on the west side on the temple of Aphaia?

Answer 17

Looks like a persian, wearing a catsuit and hat, polychromy, firing arrows, foot raised, not a lot of definition on the arm that’s firing due to clothes.

Question 18

How are the pediments on the temple of Aphaia rich in narrative?

Answer 18

highly recognisable martial myth that fits well in the awkward triangle, various fighting & dying poses, props fill space and deliver narrative, polychromy helps highlight different figures, and standing central Athene (a warrior goddess) decorous to narrative and supports unity of scale.

Question 19

How are the pediments on the temple of Aphaia not rich in narrative?

Answer 19

archaic smiles clash with suffering of war, frontal reclining pose clashes with fighting poses, difficult to identify individual warriors, and repetition across two pediments e.g. two Athenes.

Question 20

What is the background context of the Temple of Zeus at Olympia pediment?

Answer 20

In the round Parian marble figures dated to 460 BC. early classical and
also influenced by the Persian Wars.

Question 21

What is the myth on the East pediment and how does it fit with the unity of theme?

Answer 21

chariot race Oinomaos vs Pelops.
Unity of theme: chariot race overseen by Zeus and pediment looks directly onto nearby Hippodrome.

Question 22

What is the myth on the west pediment and how does it fit with the unity of theme?

Answer 22

centauromachy overseen by Apollo.
centauromachy reflects recent Greek victory over the Persians. It also sends out a moral message about the subversion of xenia.

Question 23

What are the artistic observations about body language on Oinomaos, Hippodameia and sterope on the east pediment on Zeus’ temple?

Answer 23

Hippodameaia- modest bridal gesture, lifting veil
Oinomaos- arrogant body language, hand on hip
Sterope (mother of Hippodameia)-worried or defensive body language, arms crossed

Question 24

What are the artistic observations about the seer on the east pediment on Zeus’ temple?

Answer 24

Old e.g. via muscles & hair (bald), volute beard, seer’s emotional body language foreshadows Oinomaos’ death, arms up to mounth and mouth agape, worried eg. frowns

Question 25

What are the artistic observations about the river god on the east pediment on Zeus' temple?

Answer 25

severe features e.g. ribs, River god looks towards centre of pediment, accurate anatomy e.g. skin, muscles & bones, twisting reclining pose, modelling lines reveal legs

Question 26

What artistic observations can be seen by Apollo in the west pediment on Zues' temple?

Answer 26

Apollo points North to Zeus’ ash altar, realistic anatomy e.g. neck twist, pectorals, ribs and abdominals, serene unemotional facial expression, over 3m+ tall

Question 27

What artistic observations can be seen by the Young lapith woman versus older centaur in the west pediment on Zues' temple?

Answer 27

severe features e.g. ribs, modelling lines reveal upper torso, violent arrogant body language symbolises hubris, lapith falling back,

Question 28

What early classical features are there on Zues' temple, two pediments?

Answer 28

accurate anatomy e.g. bones, muscles & skin, accurate anatomical twists, severe facial expressions e.g. grimaces, and more dynamic poses e.g. reclining, falling, grappling & kneeling.

Question 29

What is the context of the East pediment on the parthenon?

Answer 29

high classical (c.437-432 BC), myth: birth of Athene out of Zeus’ head. free-standing Pentelic marble, Part of the Doric order Parthenon on the Athenian Acropolis (a local sanctuary)

Question 30

What is the context of the West pediment on the parthenon?

Answer 30

high classical (c.437-432 BC), myth: contest between Athene and Poseidon over the patronage of Athens. free-standing Pentelic marble, Part of the Doric order Parthenon on the Athenian Acropolis (a local sanctuary)

Question 31

What artistic observations can be seen in Hestia, Dione & Aphrodite the East pediment on the parthenon?

Answer 31

One goddess looks towards the centre, modelling lines reveal legs, bare female shoulder, realistic reclining pose, transparency across Aphrodite’s upper torso

Question 32

What artistic observations can be seen in the two seated goddesses and iris the East pediment on the parthenon?

Answer 32

2 seated goddesses reacting to the birth of athena (suprised), Iris waling one way but looking at centre, motion lines, modeling lines, transparency in upper torso, motion lines, churiascurio.

Question 33

What artistic observations can be seen by dionysus on the East pediment on the parthenon?

Answer 33

realistic reclining pose, In the round god fits acute left corner of east pediment, watching the sun rise, realistic reactive anatomy e.g. pectorals and abdominals

Question 34

What artistic observations can be seen by Poiseidon on the west pediment on the parthenon?

Answer 34

Poseidon’s over life size torso points to original statue filling 3.5m high apex (power and authority, has to strike acropolis to get spring water, impressive anatomy e.g. biceps

Question 35

What artistic observations can be seen by Iris on the west pediment on the parthenon?

Answer 35

modelling lines reveals upper torso, motion lines on both legs reflects vigorous movement, belt bunches up chiton, transparency reflects movement, looks energetic

Question 36

What artistic observations can be seen by the river god on the west pediment on the parthenon?

Answer 36

In the round river god fits acute left corner of west pediment, realistic twisting reclining pose, realistic reactive anatomy e.g. pectorals and inter-costals