DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.870#0065
55
Plate 24. No. 18.
Represents Esculapius and Hygeia, and a figure supposed to be holding the peplos, or sacred web,
which was deposited in the Temple. The figure of Hygeia is extremely graceful, and the right arm
is particularly beautiful. A serpent rests on the left arm just above the wrist, but the surface
is so much corroded that it requires a very close inspection to distinguish it.
Plate 25. No. 27.
The head of the figure and the head and neck of the horse at the left corner of this group
constitute a fragment which was brought to England in the year 1744 and deposited with the
Dilettanti Society. It being ascertained to have belonged to this frieze, it was lately presented
to the Museum by the Royal Academy (to which institution it had been given by the Society,) and
restored to its proper situation in the tablet, and evidently adds greatly to its value and appearance.
It is much smoother and more perfect in the surface than the rest of the group, which may
perhaps have arisen from its having been preserved for the last half century from the weather;
and this furnishes a strong argument in justification of the removal of the Marbles to this country.
It may perhaps be objected to this observation that there are many other specimens in the
collection which, although they were exposed to the atmosphere up to the period of their removal by
Lord Elgin, are quite as perfect as the fragment alluded to. The comparison, however, should
Plate 24. No. 18.
Represents Esculapius and Hygeia, and a figure supposed to be holding the peplos, or sacred web,
which was deposited in the Temple. The figure of Hygeia is extremely graceful, and the right arm
is particularly beautiful. A serpent rests on the left arm just above the wrist, but the surface
is so much corroded that it requires a very close inspection to distinguish it.
Plate 25. No. 27.
The head of the figure and the head and neck of the horse at the left corner of this group
constitute a fragment which was brought to England in the year 1744 and deposited with the
Dilettanti Society. It being ascertained to have belonged to this frieze, it was lately presented
to the Museum by the Royal Academy (to which institution it had been given by the Society,) and
restored to its proper situation in the tablet, and evidently adds greatly to its value and appearance.
It is much smoother and more perfect in the surface than the rest of the group, which may
perhaps have arisen from its having been preserved for the last half century from the weather;
and this furnishes a strong argument in justification of the removal of the Marbles to this country.
It may perhaps be objected to this observation that there are many other specimens in the
collection which, although they were exposed to the atmosphere up to the period of their removal by
Lord Elgin, are quite as perfect as the fragment alluded to. The comparison, however, should