DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.5253#0372
338
THE AGE OF PHEIDIAS AND OF POLYCLEITOS.
temple, as may be seen from Fig. 113; that they corresponded to the four
youthful figures beyond Zeus and Hera on the opposite side appears from
Fig. 151. In Fig. 152 this group appears on a larger scale ; and we see, first,
Poseidon, the ruler of the seas, his head bound about with a sacred fillet, and
his locks falling as though wet, and clinging to his neck. The strongly devel-
oped forehead, the arched upper lid almost touching the eyebrow, as well as
the widely opened lower one, give the god an air of self-sufficiency: but his
attitude is not that of easy repose ; leaning forward, as well becomes the stormy
sea-god, he seems to force himself to reserve and quiet. In the raised hand,
Fig. 152. A Part of the East Frieze of the Parthenon. Athens.
as indicated by holes in the marble, he once held some symbol, doubtless a tri-
dent of bronze, it being evident that the whole frieze was finished with adjuncts
of metal. Grouped with Poseidon, and apparently engaged in pleasant con-
verse, is a god whose type, and graceful laxity of pose, have won for him from
some the name of Dionysos : by others he is called Apollo.660 On his drapery
we see that fluted edge, like the finished-off end of woven stuffs, a striking
characteristic of the sculptures of the Pheidian age, but disappearing in those
of the next century, when an exact and well-laid seam takes its place. Note
the similarity and yet great diversity in these two seated figures. In one the
arm is raised, with drapery gracefully falling over it. The legs are quietly
crossed, and the face turned, affording a front view of its beardless features.
In the other a strict profile is observed. The sandalled feet are uneasily in
THE AGE OF PHEIDIAS AND OF POLYCLEITOS.
temple, as may be seen from Fig. 113; that they corresponded to the four
youthful figures beyond Zeus and Hera on the opposite side appears from
Fig. 151. In Fig. 152 this group appears on a larger scale ; and we see, first,
Poseidon, the ruler of the seas, his head bound about with a sacred fillet, and
his locks falling as though wet, and clinging to his neck. The strongly devel-
oped forehead, the arched upper lid almost touching the eyebrow, as well as
the widely opened lower one, give the god an air of self-sufficiency: but his
attitude is not that of easy repose ; leaning forward, as well becomes the stormy
sea-god, he seems to force himself to reserve and quiet. In the raised hand,
Fig. 152. A Part of the East Frieze of the Parthenon. Athens.
as indicated by holes in the marble, he once held some symbol, doubtless a tri-
dent of bronze, it being evident that the whole frieze was finished with adjuncts
of metal. Grouped with Poseidon, and apparently engaged in pleasant con-
verse, is a god whose type, and graceful laxity of pose, have won for him from
some the name of Dionysos : by others he is called Apollo.660 On his drapery
we see that fluted edge, like the finished-off end of woven stuffs, a striking
characteristic of the sculptures of the Pheidian age, but disappearing in those
of the next century, when an exact and well-laid seam takes its place. Note
the similarity and yet great diversity in these two seated figures. In one the
arm is raised, with drapery gracefully falling over it. The legs are quietly
crossed, and the face turned, affording a front view of its beardless features.
In the other a strict profile is observed. The sandalled feet are uneasily in