DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.5253#0393
WEST PEDIMENT OF THE PARTHENON. 359
in the opposite side of the pediment, we shall find, that, of the extant fragments
of the mighty torso of the god, parts are in London, and the remainder in
Athens. From Carrey's drawing, we judge that Poseidon drew back indig-
nant, and perhaps astonished, as he saw his rival's olive-tree spring from the
soil; or else that he is retreating from her weapons. The mighty shoulders and
arm, the powerful front, and now dismembered portions of legs and foot, with
their distended muscles and swollen veins, speak most strongly the character
of him who lashed the seas to fury, and made the solid earth tremble at his
wrath. Here the mortal form, without being exaggerated, is intensified; and
could this shattered trunk, these scattered fragments, be re-adjusted, what
tremendous and dire power they would express !-
But few relics of Poseidon's retinue are left. His steeds are indicated to
us by well-nigh shapeless fragments. The draped figure which, according
to Carrey's drawing, accompanied this chariot, corresponding to the male
runner of the opposite side by Athena's chariot, is possibly preserved to us
in a fragment of a winged figure now in the British Museum, but by some
is thought to belong in the east pediment.6"+ There can be little doubt
that it is Nike, the goddess of Victory, by reason of the signs of attach-
ment for wings in the back of the statue ; and, if Nike, we must suppose
her hastening to the side of the goddess with whom was victory. Her rapid
motion is shown by the sweep of her short cliiton, and the graceful poise of her
left knee, the recent adjustment of which, by Professor Newton, has greatly
enhanced the beauties of this fragmentary statue. Viewed from its left side,
a wealth of graceful motives and lines reveals itself, not seen in front, mak-
ing it probable that this Nike once faced the middle of the pediment. The
drapery, clinging to the form in consequence of the rapid motion, differs
essentially from that of the figures of the east pediment, having small, sharp
lines, resembling creases, over it, and indicating that different hands were
engaged on these statues. The torso of Poseidon's charioteer, doubtless the
sea-goddess Amphitrite, wearing a chiton girded by a broad belt, and bent
forward as if holding firmly the reins, still exists in the British Museum.
This fragment, like many others, must be seen alone to be fully appreciated;
being lost, as it were, in the superabundance of beauty crowded into the Elgin
room.
Beyond Poseidon's chariot, we see, from the drawing, that there was a
seated female with a child beside her, perhaps Leucothea, and Palaimon, her
son. A fragment of the limbs of the sea-goddess Leucothea, with exquisitely
agitated drapery, like waters ruffled by a surface-wind, is now in the Elgin
room. Of the boy, a part of the left thigh only is preserved ; while three of
his fingers may be traced on the mother's right knee, resting on a bit of her
drapery. Besides these, there are other signs on the mother's form that the
child faced her right side, and pressed affectionately against her. The follow-
in the opposite side of the pediment, we shall find, that, of the extant fragments
of the mighty torso of the god, parts are in London, and the remainder in
Athens. From Carrey's drawing, we judge that Poseidon drew back indig-
nant, and perhaps astonished, as he saw his rival's olive-tree spring from the
soil; or else that he is retreating from her weapons. The mighty shoulders and
arm, the powerful front, and now dismembered portions of legs and foot, with
their distended muscles and swollen veins, speak most strongly the character
of him who lashed the seas to fury, and made the solid earth tremble at his
wrath. Here the mortal form, without being exaggerated, is intensified; and
could this shattered trunk, these scattered fragments, be re-adjusted, what
tremendous and dire power they would express !-
But few relics of Poseidon's retinue are left. His steeds are indicated to
us by well-nigh shapeless fragments. The draped figure which, according
to Carrey's drawing, accompanied this chariot, corresponding to the male
runner of the opposite side by Athena's chariot, is possibly preserved to us
in a fragment of a winged figure now in the British Museum, but by some
is thought to belong in the east pediment.6"+ There can be little doubt
that it is Nike, the goddess of Victory, by reason of the signs of attach-
ment for wings in the back of the statue ; and, if Nike, we must suppose
her hastening to the side of the goddess with whom was victory. Her rapid
motion is shown by the sweep of her short cliiton, and the graceful poise of her
left knee, the recent adjustment of which, by Professor Newton, has greatly
enhanced the beauties of this fragmentary statue. Viewed from its left side,
a wealth of graceful motives and lines reveals itself, not seen in front, mak-
ing it probable that this Nike once faced the middle of the pediment. The
drapery, clinging to the form in consequence of the rapid motion, differs
essentially from that of the figures of the east pediment, having small, sharp
lines, resembling creases, over it, and indicating that different hands were
engaged on these statues. The torso of Poseidon's charioteer, doubtless the
sea-goddess Amphitrite, wearing a chiton girded by a broad belt, and bent
forward as if holding firmly the reins, still exists in the British Museum.
This fragment, like many others, must be seen alone to be fully appreciated;
being lost, as it were, in the superabundance of beauty crowded into the Elgin
room.
Beyond Poseidon's chariot, we see, from the drawing, that there was a
seated female with a child beside her, perhaps Leucothea, and Palaimon, her
son. A fragment of the limbs of the sea-goddess Leucothea, with exquisitely
agitated drapery, like waters ruffled by a surface-wind, is now in the Elgin
room. Of the boy, a part of the left thigh only is preserved ; while three of
his fingers may be traced on the mother's right knee, resting on a bit of her
drapery. Besides these, there are other signs on the mother's form that the
child faced her right side, and pressed affectionately against her. The follow-