DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.15095#0025
PLATE IV.
of a fourth, representing part of the group in attendance on
Bacchus, was in the Museum of the Benedictines at Catana.(ii) In
the British Museum also is a terracotta which exhibits the same
story, though in a less detailed manner.(i2)
Several variations, which are not very important, may be observed
in these different bas-reliefs ; but in the two following instances
the difference is particularly remarkable. In the marble at the Villa
Albani, not only Icarus, but his daughter Erigone also, is seated
on the couch; and in that described by Spon, in addition to Erigone
there is another female figure. To account for the former of these
variations, it is necessary to state, that by a close inspection of the
marble now described, it appears that the figure of Erigone has
been broken away, and that the artist who attempted to restore the
marble, instead of supplying the lost figure, has filled up the space
which it occupied, by adding very considerably to the drapery of
Icarus. With regard to the additional female figure in the bas-
relief published by Spon, it can scarcely be doubted, that she is
merely a companion of Erigone, as it was very usual for the Greek
artists to represent young unmarried women accompanied by one or
more of their female friends.
From the introduction of masks into this bas-relief, it is highly
probable that the subject is taken from some popular dramatic
composition. The story of Icarus and Erigone was certainly well
calculated to excite a high interest among the Athenians, by whom
a solemn festival or sacrifice in honour of the latter, had been
instituted ;(i3) and we know that Erigone was the subject of a play
written by Sophocles.(14)
" Voyage Pittoresque des Isles de Sicile, de Malte, et de Lipari. Tom. ii. pi. cxxxvu.
,z Description of the Ancient Terracottas in the British Museum, No. XLVII.
13 Atcepot, a festival or sacrifice at Athens in honour of Erigone.
Alcopa, eopTij Aflijvrjcriv rjv 01 juev em Tr;aaA=oy Tvpavvov Queiv $curlv. oi 8e, stt) KAt>T«i/xv>j0"Tpaf x«i
Aiytcrflou. 6i 8e, eot 'Hpyowjc oAijtigoj tj 'lxapou. Hesych. in voce.
_ See Etymologicum Magnum in voce rovaZeiv.
of a fourth, representing part of the group in attendance on
Bacchus, was in the Museum of the Benedictines at Catana.(ii) In
the British Museum also is a terracotta which exhibits the same
story, though in a less detailed manner.(i2)
Several variations, which are not very important, may be observed
in these different bas-reliefs ; but in the two following instances
the difference is particularly remarkable. In the marble at the Villa
Albani, not only Icarus, but his daughter Erigone also, is seated
on the couch; and in that described by Spon, in addition to Erigone
there is another female figure. To account for the former of these
variations, it is necessary to state, that by a close inspection of the
marble now described, it appears that the figure of Erigone has
been broken away, and that the artist who attempted to restore the
marble, instead of supplying the lost figure, has filled up the space
which it occupied, by adding very considerably to the drapery of
Icarus. With regard to the additional female figure in the bas-
relief published by Spon, it can scarcely be doubted, that she is
merely a companion of Erigone, as it was very usual for the Greek
artists to represent young unmarried women accompanied by one or
more of their female friends.
From the introduction of masks into this bas-relief, it is highly
probable that the subject is taken from some popular dramatic
composition. The story of Icarus and Erigone was certainly well
calculated to excite a high interest among the Athenians, by whom
a solemn festival or sacrifice in honour of the latter, had been
instituted ;(i3) and we know that Erigone was the subject of a play
written by Sophocles.(14)
" Voyage Pittoresque des Isles de Sicile, de Malte, et de Lipari. Tom. ii. pi. cxxxvu.
,z Description of the Ancient Terracottas in the British Museum, No. XLVII.
13 Atcepot, a festival or sacrifice at Athens in honour of Erigone.
Alcopa, eopTij Aflijvrjcriv rjv 01 juev em Tr;aaA=oy Tvpavvov Queiv $curlv. oi 8e, stt) KAt>T«i/xv>j0"Tpaf x«i
Aiytcrflou. 6i 8e, eot 'Hpyowjc oAijtigoj tj 'lxapou. Hesych. in voce.
_ See Etymologicum Magnum in voce rovaZeiv.