DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4849#0004
The group in the western pediment is supposed to represent the contest for the body of Patroclus.
They are in wonderful preservation, considering that upwards of 2000 years have elapsed since the destruction
of the Temple. Those parts of the figures which have been exposed to the weather, by projecting from the
pediment, are more or less corroded.
Plate III. No. 1, is a reclining figure, with that peculiarity of expression which marks so strongly the
school of that period, and which is the predominating cast of feature in the whole of these statues. The left
hand and foot are fractured; the right hand is employed in drawing an arrow from the breast.
The hair is curled in a very formal manner, and falls down on the shoulders in a broad flat mass.
Plate IV. No. 2. This is an elegant and picturesque attitude, representing a warrior ready with his
spear to resist the attack of an assailant; the belt on the left arm shows where the shield was attached.
Plate V. No. 3, is an archer who has just liberated his arrow, and is watching its flight in a most
graceful attitude. This figure has been much restored by Thorwaldsen.
Plate VI. No. 4. The statue of a warrior making a vigorous attack. The whole figure is in strong
action, and is very expressive.
Plate VII. No. 5, is the fallen warrior who excites the interest and attention of the whole group. The
right arm is gradually giving way to the weight of his body; on the left arm is the belt of the shield, and
the left leg is in stiff spasmodic action. This figure is the most carefully finished of this group.
Plate VIII. No. 6. The figure of Minerva, which is perhaps the most antique and primitive Greek statue
of this goddess extant. The costume and formal straight appearance of this figure, affords a remarkable
contrast to the great variety of attitude for which the others are distinguished, and would induce us to
conclude it was itself a copy from a revered and more ancient original.
They are in wonderful preservation, considering that upwards of 2000 years have elapsed since the destruction
of the Temple. Those parts of the figures which have been exposed to the weather, by projecting from the
pediment, are more or less corroded.
Plate III. No. 1, is a reclining figure, with that peculiarity of expression which marks so strongly the
school of that period, and which is the predominating cast of feature in the whole of these statues. The left
hand and foot are fractured; the right hand is employed in drawing an arrow from the breast.
The hair is curled in a very formal manner, and falls down on the shoulders in a broad flat mass.
Plate IV. No. 2. This is an elegant and picturesque attitude, representing a warrior ready with his
spear to resist the attack of an assailant; the belt on the left arm shows where the shield was attached.
Plate V. No. 3, is an archer who has just liberated his arrow, and is watching its flight in a most
graceful attitude. This figure has been much restored by Thorwaldsen.
Plate VI. No. 4. The statue of a warrior making a vigorous attack. The whole figure is in strong
action, and is very expressive.
Plate VII. No. 5, is the fallen warrior who excites the interest and attention of the whole group. The
right arm is gradually giving way to the weight of his body; on the left arm is the belt of the shield, and
the left leg is in stiff spasmodic action. This figure is the most carefully finished of this group.
Plate VIII. No. 6. The figure of Minerva, which is perhaps the most antique and primitive Greek statue
of this goddess extant. The costume and formal straight appearance of this figure, affords a remarkable
contrast to the great variety of attitude for which the others are distinguished, and would induce us to
conclude it was itself a copy from a revered and more ancient original.