DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.15099#0119
92
Upon the other fragment are also represented a Centaur and
a Greek, but it is not quite clear whether they belonged to the
same group. Between the two fragments comprised in this plate,
there was, as we learn from Stuart, a contest, wherein a Centaur
appears thrown to the ground, and is about to be destroyed by
two Greeks. To this group certainly belonged the Centaur re-
presented in our plate in the act of brandishing the stem of a
tree in the manner of a lance, which he was directing against
the two Greeks who had so successfully attacked his friend. The
action of this Centaur is full of vigour, and the intention ex-
pressed with great force and truth to nature. The head, both
arms except the hands, and both the near legs are destroyed.
This figure, combined with the three others of which the Museum
does not possess casts, formed a very good and well balanced
group, and we are therefore disposed to think that the Greek
represented in this plate may possibly have belonged to the scene
in the next, where he is rather wanted to maintain a correct
balance. The entire head and neck, and both arms quite close
to the shoulders being lost, it is scarcely possible to ascertain to
which side his attention was turned, or with which group he was
more immediately connected. His left leg, which is wanting from
the hip to the ancle, is bent. His body seems rather turned
towards the Centaur on the same fragment, as if he Avere pre-
pared to inflict a heavy and hurried blow, which might avert from
his companions the injury apparently impending from the up-
lifted tree in the hands of the Centaur; the direction of the folds
of the chlamys worn by him, and fastened in front of his throat
by a fibula, seems to favour this interpretation of his movement.
Because however, by attaching this figure to the group on the
other side, the two compositions are better balanced, we are rather
disposed to believe that the artist may have intended to represent
him in the act of turning round to attack the Centaur, whom we
shall see in the next plate, combining with another in the destruc-
tion of a Greek. His feet are sandaled.
Upon the other fragment are also represented a Centaur and
a Greek, but it is not quite clear whether they belonged to the
same group. Between the two fragments comprised in this plate,
there was, as we learn from Stuart, a contest, wherein a Centaur
appears thrown to the ground, and is about to be destroyed by
two Greeks. To this group certainly belonged the Centaur re-
presented in our plate in the act of brandishing the stem of a
tree in the manner of a lance, which he was directing against
the two Greeks who had so successfully attacked his friend. The
action of this Centaur is full of vigour, and the intention ex-
pressed with great force and truth to nature. The head, both
arms except the hands, and both the near legs are destroyed.
This figure, combined with the three others of which the Museum
does not possess casts, formed a very good and well balanced
group, and we are therefore disposed to think that the Greek
represented in this plate may possibly have belonged to the scene
in the next, where he is rather wanted to maintain a correct
balance. The entire head and neck, and both arms quite close
to the shoulders being lost, it is scarcely possible to ascertain to
which side his attention was turned, or with which group he was
more immediately connected. His left leg, which is wanting from
the hip to the ancle, is bent. His body seems rather turned
towards the Centaur on the same fragment, as if he Avere pre-
pared to inflict a heavy and hurried blow, which might avert from
his companions the injury apparently impending from the up-
lifted tree in the hands of the Centaur; the direction of the folds
of the chlamys worn by him, and fastened in front of his throat
by a fibula, seems to favour this interpretation of his movement.
Because however, by attaching this figure to the group on the
other side, the two compositions are better balanced, we are rather
disposed to believe that the artist may have intended to represent
him in the act of turning round to attack the Centaur, whom we
shall see in the next plate, combining with another in the destruc-
tion of a Greek. His feet are sandaled.