DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.15097#0067
56
beyond doubt secured to the Centaur, is not so absolutely certain
but that an accident or a convulsive effort might snatch it from his
grasp, and the figures are so correct to nature, and so exquisitely
delineated, that it is impossible not to rest with abstraction
upon the group, and, while admiring the science and skill of the
artist, to become deeply interested in the result of the contest.
Sympathy is excited for the apparently vanquished, and a belief,
almost a hope, arises, that by suddenly and momentarily throw-
ing his whole weight upon his left arm and leg, which are supported
by the hair and hand of the Centaur, he may yet relieve his right
arm and inflict a deadly blow, before the right hand of his enemy
shall have descended in destruction.
This Metope is now in the same state in which it was drawn by
Stuart, but it had suffered very materially in the interval between
his visit and that of Carrey: at which time the right arm and the
leg of the Centaur, and the right leg of the Greek alone were
wanting.
This Metope was the ninth on the south side of the Temple, and
is engraved in Stuart, Vol. IV. Chap. IV. PI. xxxi. Burrow,
Vol. I. Metope v. Bronstedt, Liv. II. PI. xlvii. No. 9.
beyond doubt secured to the Centaur, is not so absolutely certain
but that an accident or a convulsive effort might snatch it from his
grasp, and the figures are so correct to nature, and so exquisitely
delineated, that it is impossible not to rest with abstraction
upon the group, and, while admiring the science and skill of the
artist, to become deeply interested in the result of the contest.
Sympathy is excited for the apparently vanquished, and a belief,
almost a hope, arises, that by suddenly and momentarily throw-
ing his whole weight upon his left arm and leg, which are supported
by the hair and hand of the Centaur, he may yet relieve his right
arm and inflict a deadly blow, before the right hand of his enemy
shall have descended in destruction.
This Metope is now in the same state in which it was drawn by
Stuart, but it had suffered very materially in the interval between
his visit and that of Carrey: at which time the right arm and the
leg of the Centaur, and the right leg of the Greek alone were
wanting.
This Metope was the ninth on the south side of the Temple, and
is engraved in Stuart, Vol. IV. Chap. IV. PI. xxxi. Burrow,
Vol. I. Metope v. Bronstedt, Liv. II. PI. xlvii. No. 9.