Gell, William: Pompeiana: the topography, edifices and ornaments of Pompeii ; the result of excavations since 1819 ; in two volumes (Band 2) (London, 1832)

THE PLATES. 117

In the original, the hard features of
Chalcas are well imagined. Many artists
have complained that the feet of Iphigenia
are not seen, but they might have been con-
cealed by the male figure, and the ancients
seem seldom to have represented the limbs
which were not absolutely necessary.

Timanthes, of Sicyon, was highly ap-
plauded for having painted a picture of this
subject with the countenance of Agamemnon
hidden, the expression being beyond the art
of painting. He lived in the time of Philip
of Macedon; but it appears that Polygnotus
of Thasos, who lived in the fifth century
before Christ, had also painted the same
subject, and Euripides had imagined it, with
the same circumstances as those represented
in the temple at Delphi by Timanthes. It
is very satisfactory to have an ancient re-
presentation of any subject the meaning of
which admits of so little dispute.

Iphigenia has a yellow drapery, and the
two persons who are holding her have man-
tles of a violet colour. Chalcas has a purple
dress, and over it, tied round the waist, a
yellow drapery.