DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.15096#0027
10
WESTERN PEDIMENT.
PLATE XIII.
ILISSUS.
In the description of the Temple of Olympia the Cladeus and
Alpheus were introduced as accessories in the events commemorated
by the central composition. The local deities especially concerned
in disputes of this nature were usually represented in similar com-
positions. In accordance with a practice so frequent in Greece it
has been conjectured that this was the Ilissus, which watered the
southern plain of Attica. But it has been supposed with equal
probability to have been Theseus, as far more interesting to the
Athenians/4) He starts in a momentary action from his reclined
position, and overcome with joy raises himself to behold the defeat
of Neptune in the contest with Minerva. This figure disputes
the palm of merit with that of Theseus or Hercules in the East
Front, to which a celebrated connoisseur has preferred it for the
boldness and animation of the conception and execution ; " seeming
to have a life which is found in very few works of art."(5)
PLATE XIV,
The preservation of the back is chiefly attributable to the pro-
tecting cornice of the tympanum; the original polish of the marble
perfectly representing the elastic skin, retains the freshness of its
first appearance from the hand of the master. A colour which
* Leake's Topography of Athens, p. 250. s Visconti on the Elgin Marbles, p. 29.
WESTERN PEDIMENT.
PLATE XIII.
ILISSUS.
In the description of the Temple of Olympia the Cladeus and
Alpheus were introduced as accessories in the events commemorated
by the central composition. The local deities especially concerned
in disputes of this nature were usually represented in similar com-
positions. In accordance with a practice so frequent in Greece it
has been conjectured that this was the Ilissus, which watered the
southern plain of Attica. But it has been supposed with equal
probability to have been Theseus, as far more interesting to the
Athenians/4) He starts in a momentary action from his reclined
position, and overcome with joy raises himself to behold the defeat
of Neptune in the contest with Minerva. This figure disputes
the palm of merit with that of Theseus or Hercules in the East
Front, to which a celebrated connoisseur has preferred it for the
boldness and animation of the conception and execution ; " seeming
to have a life which is found in very few works of art."(5)
PLATE XIV,
The preservation of the back is chiefly attributable to the pro-
tecting cornice of the tympanum; the original polish of the marble
perfectly representing the elastic skin, retains the freshness of its
first appearance from the hand of the master. A colour which
* Leake's Topography of Athens, p. 250. s Visconti on the Elgin Marbles, p. 29.