DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.15097#0063
53
METOPE VII.
This Metope much resembles No. III. both in design and
execution; in both the Centaur is about to be victorious, in the
same manner and by the same means. In this, though his supe-
riority is tolerably well ascertained, it is not quite so unequivocal.
He has overpowered his adversary, and brought him with one
knee to the ground, and is securing the advantage he has so gamed
by pressing his leg upon the left knee of the Greek. This warrior,
however, is not so far overcome as in the other Metope; he still
supports himself upon one knee, his body is erect, he has raised his
left arm against the breast of the Centaur to repress his attack, and
his right is so far raised and at liberty, that he may possibly still
inflict a deadly wound upon his almost triumphant enemy, and
snatch the victory from his grasp.
This group is in general finely designed and well executed,
though hard in style, and retaining some of the characteristics of
that manner which appears in the Phigalian Marbles, and from
which Grecian art had not yet entirely emancipated itself. Though
the horse is somewhat heavy and clumsy, there is much power in
his pressing against the Greek, and the strain of the bent knee
shews that he has still much resistance to overcome. The action
of the Greek is very beautiful and expressive ; his foot evinces an
effort to raise the body, and a readiness to spring, if it could be
relieved from the superincumbent weight; the left leg has made its
first movement to rise, but is powerfully repelled by the leg of the
Centaur; the muscles of the body are in powerful action, and its
forward inclination corresponding with the motive of the legs, shew
that the whole figure is occupied in the combined effort to raise
itself and repress the mighty monster who is so fatally bearing it
down to the ground.
METOPE VII.
This Metope much resembles No. III. both in design and
execution; in both the Centaur is about to be victorious, in the
same manner and by the same means. In this, though his supe-
riority is tolerably well ascertained, it is not quite so unequivocal.
He has overpowered his adversary, and brought him with one
knee to the ground, and is securing the advantage he has so gamed
by pressing his leg upon the left knee of the Greek. This warrior,
however, is not so far overcome as in the other Metope; he still
supports himself upon one knee, his body is erect, he has raised his
left arm against the breast of the Centaur to repress his attack, and
his right is so far raised and at liberty, that he may possibly still
inflict a deadly wound upon his almost triumphant enemy, and
snatch the victory from his grasp.
This group is in general finely designed and well executed,
though hard in style, and retaining some of the characteristics of
that manner which appears in the Phigalian Marbles, and from
which Grecian art had not yet entirely emancipated itself. Though
the horse is somewhat heavy and clumsy, there is much power in
his pressing against the Greek, and the strain of the bent knee
shews that he has still much resistance to overcome. The action
of the Greek is very beautiful and expressive ; his foot evinces an
effort to raise the body, and a readiness to spring, if it could be
relieved from the superincumbent weight; the left leg has made its
first movement to rise, but is powerfully repelled by the leg of the
Centaur; the muscles of the body are in powerful action, and its
forward inclination corresponding with the motive of the legs, shew
that the whole figure is occupied in the combined effort to raise
itself and repress the mighty monster who is so fatally bearing it
down to the ground.