Mitchell, Lucy M.: A history of ancient sculpture (New York, 1883)

SCULPTURES OF THE ERECHTHEION.

371

wisdom which both makes them bear the superimposed weight, and also satis-
fies the eye perfectly with the manner in which the burden is carried. Of these
maidens of the Erechtheion, the eminent architect, Viollet-le-Duc, says, " The
elegant forms of these statues are imprinted with a character so marked by
solidity and ampleness, that columns themselves would appear less capable of

Fig. 165. Portico of the Erechtheion. Athens.

supporting." 6S7 Taken as a whole, with what admirable symmetry are they
adapted to the place they occupy! Three of these figures, to the beholders'
left, have at rest the left leg, and the other three the right. By this means,
they all appear to incline slightly towards the interior of the edifice; but the
drapery on their opposite sides so falls as to produce a slightly swelling outline
about the middle of the figure, resembling the entasis of a column, and increas-
ing the impression of stability. At the same time, the division of the entab-