DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.5253#0321
>88
ARCHAIC SCULPTURE.
Of existing Athenian monuments, dating from this time of transition, and
showing" the attainments of Attic artists, we have painfully few. Socrates the
philosopher, son of Sophroniscos a sculptor, was said to have followed, in his
youth, his father's profession; and the ciceroni about the Acropolis showed
Pausanias a group of Graces said to have been from his hand.5'7 Fragments
of this work have probably been preserved to us in a relief on the Acropolis;
but, if these graceless Graces were indeed executed by Socrates, we do not
wonder that he exchanged his father's profession for that of philosopher.
One relief on the Acropolis shows us, however, all the beauty and grace of
budding Attic art5lS (Fig. 136). It represents a draped figure mounting a
Fig. 136. Relief found in Athens. Chariot and Charioteer. Athens.
chariot, while the horses seem to be standing still. As the head-dress is that
generally worn by bearded figures, it is difficult to tell whether it is a male or
female charioteer. The contrast to the sterner ^Eginetan art is evident in the
easy bend of the form and the eager naturalness of gesture, showing clearly
that exuberant life in Attic art which corresponds with ancient descriptions of
the people. But the regularity of the folds of the drapery, and the carefully
hanging zigzags, show that freedom is not yet attained ; although there is a
fascination about the quaintly graceful forms, like that of early buds promising
a world of beauty when summer has unfolded their closed and delicate petals.
A no less beautiful work is a small altar, discovered in Athens, having all
the features of genuine archaic art. On one side (Fig. 137) is seen Hermes,
still bearded and elderly, carrying on his shoulders one of the rams of the flocks
he protects, and holding his kcrykcion, or caduccus (Hermes Criophoros).5'9 On
ARCHAIC SCULPTURE.
Of existing Athenian monuments, dating from this time of transition, and
showing" the attainments of Attic artists, we have painfully few. Socrates the
philosopher, son of Sophroniscos a sculptor, was said to have followed, in his
youth, his father's profession; and the ciceroni about the Acropolis showed
Pausanias a group of Graces said to have been from his hand.5'7 Fragments
of this work have probably been preserved to us in a relief on the Acropolis;
but, if these graceless Graces were indeed executed by Socrates, we do not
wonder that he exchanged his father's profession for that of philosopher.
One relief on the Acropolis shows us, however, all the beauty and grace of
budding Attic art5lS (Fig. 136). It represents a draped figure mounting a
Fig. 136. Relief found in Athens. Chariot and Charioteer. Athens.
chariot, while the horses seem to be standing still. As the head-dress is that
generally worn by bearded figures, it is difficult to tell whether it is a male or
female charioteer. The contrast to the sterner ^Eginetan art is evident in the
easy bend of the form and the eager naturalness of gesture, showing clearly
that exuberant life in Attic art which corresponds with ancient descriptions of
the people. But the regularity of the folds of the drapery, and the carefully
hanging zigzags, show that freedom is not yet attained ; although there is a
fascination about the quaintly graceful forms, like that of early buds promising
a world of beauty when summer has unfolded their closed and delicate petals.
A no less beautiful work is a small altar, discovered in Athens, having all
the features of genuine archaic art. On one side (Fig. 137) is seen Hermes,
still bearded and elderly, carrying on his shoulders one of the rams of the flocks
he protects, and holding his kcrykcion, or caduccus (Hermes Criophoros).5'9 On