DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.7898#0019
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PLATE VII.
A statue of Minerva, of Greek marble, one of the first objects discovered in
the excavations made at Herculaneum (i). It is in a perfect state of preserva-
tion, the spear only, which, probably was of wood or metal, being wanting.
It offers a curious specimen of the taste of the ancients for early works of
art, or for imitations of them, when original productions could not be ob-
tained.
The attitude, which is stiff and awkward, the action constrained, and the
drapery formally disposed in minute parallel folds, are characteristic of the
early Greek or the Etruscan style, and contrast strongly with the grace and
beauty observable in the features, limbs, and the various accessories when
separately viewed. Hence, it is evidently of a more refined age than the first
appearance indicates, and from the place where it was found, its origin may
perhaps be referred to the epoch of the first Roman emperors.
It is remarkable that when discovered, the hair and various parts of the
drapery and ornaments of this statue were gilt. Winckelmann who has des-
cribed it (2), says, the gilding was so thick, that it could be removed in leaves.
At present no traces of it remain, nor can this instance of neglect excite sur-
prize , when it is considered in what disregard the Fine Arts have been always
held at Naples.
The goddess appears, as usual, in a martial attire and attitude, brandish-
ing the formidable lance with which she overthrows whole ranks of warriors
who have glared to excite her anger (3). Her head is covered with a crested
helmet, ornamented like that of her statue in the Parthenon (4), with a gry-
phon, a pugnacious animal and an appropriate emblem of the goddess of war.
Though prepared for battle, she has not neglected the care of her beauty :
her hair is elegantly disposed in ringlets flowing on her neck, which is adorned
(1) Antichita di Ercolano, Catalogo, pag. Tom. 1, pag. 433. Roman Edition, 1783.
i43, Museo Borbonico , descr. da G. Finati, (3).........to &ajAV7)tri a-rfya; av&pwv
Napoli, 1819, torn. 1, pag. 82. —■ Height in- r,pc6cov, towiv te y.o-ziccsTtx.1 d|3pijxo7taTpn.
eluding the helmet, five feet ten inches. Iliad. E. 746-7.
(2) Storia dell' Arti, torn, u, pag. 3g. — (4) Pausan. lib. 1, cap.
1
PLATE VII.
A statue of Minerva, of Greek marble, one of the first objects discovered in
the excavations made at Herculaneum (i). It is in a perfect state of preserva-
tion, the spear only, which, probably was of wood or metal, being wanting.
It offers a curious specimen of the taste of the ancients for early works of
art, or for imitations of them, when original productions could not be ob-
tained.
The attitude, which is stiff and awkward, the action constrained, and the
drapery formally disposed in minute parallel folds, are characteristic of the
early Greek or the Etruscan style, and contrast strongly with the grace and
beauty observable in the features, limbs, and the various accessories when
separately viewed. Hence, it is evidently of a more refined age than the first
appearance indicates, and from the place where it was found, its origin may
perhaps be referred to the epoch of the first Roman emperors.
It is remarkable that when discovered, the hair and various parts of the
drapery and ornaments of this statue were gilt. Winckelmann who has des-
cribed it (2), says, the gilding was so thick, that it could be removed in leaves.
At present no traces of it remain, nor can this instance of neglect excite sur-
prize , when it is considered in what disregard the Fine Arts have been always
held at Naples.
The goddess appears, as usual, in a martial attire and attitude, brandish-
ing the formidable lance with which she overthrows whole ranks of warriors
who have glared to excite her anger (3). Her head is covered with a crested
helmet, ornamented like that of her statue in the Parthenon (4), with a gry-
phon, a pugnacious animal and an appropriate emblem of the goddess of war.
Though prepared for battle, she has not neglected the care of her beauty :
her hair is elegantly disposed in ringlets flowing on her neck, which is adorned
(1) Antichita di Ercolano, Catalogo, pag. Tom. 1, pag. 433. Roman Edition, 1783.
i43, Museo Borbonico , descr. da G. Finati, (3).........to &ajAV7)tri a-rfya; av&pwv
Napoli, 1819, torn. 1, pag. 82. —■ Height in- r,pc6cov, towiv te y.o-ziccsTtx.1 d|3pijxo7taTpn.
eluding the helmet, five feet ten inches. Iliad. E. 746-7.
(2) Storia dell' Arti, torn, u, pag. 3g. — (4) Pausan. lib. 1, cap.
1