DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.15098#0311
201
PLATE LII.
[ Length, 8 f. Old Nos. 40, 42. New Nos. 70, 71. ]
In this plate are represented the subjects of two slabs, which
are also engraved in Stuart's Athens, vol. iv. c. iv. pi. xiv. Both
are in a tolerable state of preservation, and the workmanship
is very good, nearly, but perhaps not quite, of the high order
of those which we have hitherto observed. The character of
the composition is much the same as that of the last plate; the
figures, both of the men and horses, are too much alike; each
follows the other at the same distance, and the same speed ; the
actions of the animals present little variety, and the procession is
advancing in a manner so methodical and measured as to do great
credit to the riders and the marshals ; very orderly and very
theatrical, but wanting the animation, and the intricacy which
captivates the admirer of the picturesque. This may appear
cold and captious criticism of a work so eminently beautiful, but
the almost miraculous skill, taste, and execution of the southern
column, has taught us to be fastidious. All the horsemen upon
this plate are apparently bare headed, but have their bodies
clothed in armour. They have the same deep skirted chitons as
those upon the preceding plate, but the form of the cuirasses is
totally different; they are without any straps, either upon the
shoulder, or down the thighs; without any apparent joint down
the sides, but fitting close to the body, assuming all the undula-
tions of the frame, and displaying the developement of the mus-
cles ; they must either have been of elastic leather which adapted
itself to the forms underneath, or of metal so embossed as to
imitate the human body; the joints and fastenings which in the
latter case would have been necessary, the artist has not expressed.
PLATE LII.
[ Length, 8 f. Old Nos. 40, 42. New Nos. 70, 71. ]
In this plate are represented the subjects of two slabs, which
are also engraved in Stuart's Athens, vol. iv. c. iv. pi. xiv. Both
are in a tolerable state of preservation, and the workmanship
is very good, nearly, but perhaps not quite, of the high order
of those which we have hitherto observed. The character of
the composition is much the same as that of the last plate; the
figures, both of the men and horses, are too much alike; each
follows the other at the same distance, and the same speed ; the
actions of the animals present little variety, and the procession is
advancing in a manner so methodical and measured as to do great
credit to the riders and the marshals ; very orderly and very
theatrical, but wanting the animation, and the intricacy which
captivates the admirer of the picturesque. This may appear
cold and captious criticism of a work so eminently beautiful, but
the almost miraculous skill, taste, and execution of the southern
column, has taught us to be fastidious. All the horsemen upon
this plate are apparently bare headed, but have their bodies
clothed in armour. They have the same deep skirted chitons as
those upon the preceding plate, but the form of the cuirasses is
totally different; they are without any straps, either upon the
shoulder, or down the thighs; without any apparent joint down
the sides, but fitting close to the body, assuming all the undula-
tions of the frame, and displaying the developement of the mus-
cles ; they must either have been of elastic leather which adapted
itself to the forms underneath, or of metal so embossed as to
imitate the human body; the joints and fastenings which in the
latter case would have been necessary, the artist has not expressed.