DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.5253#0519
CHAPTER XXVII.
EXTANT ATTIC SCULPTURES OF THE FOURTH CENTURY B.C.
Head from Southern Slope of Acropolis. — Choragic Monument of Lysicrates. — Theatre of Dionysos.
— Statue of Sophocles. — Silen from Theatre of Dionysos. — Origin of Satyr and Silen Types.—
Attic Tombstones. — Funereal Rites. — Illustrated on Vases. — Variety in Monuments. — Tomb-
stones with Sirens, etc. — Variety in Reliefs on Tombs. — Relief of Damasistrate. — Ancient All-
Souls' Day. — Dead represented in Paintings, as seated in their Temples. — Ceremonies about
Tombs. — Increased Luxury in Tombstones. — Repetition of Same Type. — Tombstone of Polyxene.
— Tombstone of Mother with Infant. — Tombstone of Amenoclcia. — Tombstone of Hegeso,
compared with Tombstone from Peiraieus. — Interpretation of Scenes on Tombstones. — Ideal
rendering of E very-day Scenes. — Lack of Realism in-Treatment usual. — Reliefs representing
Repasts. — Lekythos-shaped Tombstones. — Votive Reliefs. — Vignettes on Public Decrees.
While the records of statues of gods and goddesses produced in the fourth
century are most numerous, it is noticeable, that, compared with the age of
Pheidias, few temples and public buildings were now erected ; and conse-
quently architectural sculptures from this age are lacking on Attic soil. A
few single statues and many votive and tomb reliefs, however, make up for the
lack.
A head in Pentelic marble, found on the southern slope of the Acropolis,
and now in the collection of the Archaeological Society at Athens, is of such
great beauty, and is so characteristic in its treatment, that, even though in-
jured, it is of inestimable value in forming our judgment of this age of scanty
remains (Selections, Plate X.). It belonged to a statue from which it has been
rudely torn, and represents, in more than life-size forms, not immature and
girlish beauty, but the full bloom of ripe womanhood.975 The nose, the upper,
and a part of the lower, lip, have been sadly injured; but in this noble head,
tipped slightly to the right, the gaze seems to reach the distance, as though
filled with some delightful emotion. The wavy hair is gathered in a simple
knot behind, from which once hung curls, as appears from their points of
attachment, still visible. A hole through this knot shows that a bronze pin
ran through it, which is now gone; and a bronze band confining the hair has
had the fate of the pin. A second band, however, in marble, which passes
across the forehead, intertwining in the rich locks, is still visible. On the right
side of the head is a piece of now shapeless marble, for which it is difficult to
find an explanation. Possibly the goddess rested her head on her hand ; or it
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EXTANT ATTIC SCULPTURES OF THE FOURTH CENTURY B.C.
Head from Southern Slope of Acropolis. — Choragic Monument of Lysicrates. — Theatre of Dionysos.
— Statue of Sophocles. — Silen from Theatre of Dionysos. — Origin of Satyr and Silen Types.—
Attic Tombstones. — Funereal Rites. — Illustrated on Vases. — Variety in Monuments. — Tomb-
stones with Sirens, etc. — Variety in Reliefs on Tombs. — Relief of Damasistrate. — Ancient All-
Souls' Day. — Dead represented in Paintings, as seated in their Temples. — Ceremonies about
Tombs. — Increased Luxury in Tombstones. — Repetition of Same Type. — Tombstone of Polyxene.
— Tombstone of Mother with Infant. — Tombstone of Amenoclcia. — Tombstone of Hegeso,
compared with Tombstone from Peiraieus. — Interpretation of Scenes on Tombstones. — Ideal
rendering of E very-day Scenes. — Lack of Realism in-Treatment usual. — Reliefs representing
Repasts. — Lekythos-shaped Tombstones. — Votive Reliefs. — Vignettes on Public Decrees.
While the records of statues of gods and goddesses produced in the fourth
century are most numerous, it is noticeable, that, compared with the age of
Pheidias, few temples and public buildings were now erected ; and conse-
quently architectural sculptures from this age are lacking on Attic soil. A
few single statues and many votive and tomb reliefs, however, make up for the
lack.
A head in Pentelic marble, found on the southern slope of the Acropolis,
and now in the collection of the Archaeological Society at Athens, is of such
great beauty, and is so characteristic in its treatment, that, even though in-
jured, it is of inestimable value in forming our judgment of this age of scanty
remains (Selections, Plate X.). It belonged to a statue from which it has been
rudely torn, and represents, in more than life-size forms, not immature and
girlish beauty, but the full bloom of ripe womanhood.975 The nose, the upper,
and a part of the lower, lip, have been sadly injured; but in this noble head,
tipped slightly to the right, the gaze seems to reach the distance, as though
filled with some delightful emotion. The wavy hair is gathered in a simple
knot behind, from which once hung curls, as appears from their points of
attachment, still visible. A hole through this knot shows that a bronze pin
ran through it, which is now gone; and a bronze band confining the hair has
had the fate of the pin. A second band, however, in marble, which passes
across the forehead, intertwining in the rich locks, is still visible. On the right
side of the head is a piece of now shapeless marble, for which it is difficult to
find an explanation. Possibly the goddess rested her head on her hand ; or it
4&t