DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.5253#0572
536 THE AGE OF SCOPAS, PRAXITELES, AND LYSIPP03.
Alkestis after a severe struggle, and took her back to her husband. On the
column the two myths seem combined. Hades (not seen in the cut) is en-
throned as becomes the god supreme of the under-world; and by him stands
Persephone (also not visible in the engraving), who seems to have bidden
Hermes, leader of souls, conduct Alkestis back to the upper-world. We see
Hermes looking up towards the world to which he is to lead back Alkestis, and
bearing his lowered kcrykcion in one hand, while the other, placed firmly on
his hip, is hidden in his mantle, which has dropped from the shoulder, and is
buttoned about his upper arm. His position is an easy, expectant one, the
motion of his legs being such that he seems about to step forward. Next
comes the beautifully draped Alkestis, whose head, alas ! is gone ; but the
motion of one hand, and of the opposite arm, indicate that she is buttoning
on her outer mantle, preparatory for the journey. While apparently looking
back, the motion of her feet shows that she is about to move away with Hermes.
Her beautiful drapery, with its careful surface-treatment, in which the wrin-
kles of nature are mirrored, without, however, detracting from its grand sweep,
calls forcibly to mind the drapery of the so-called Artemisia of the Mauso-
leum. The next figure is Thanatos, from whom the beautiful Alkestis is
rescued. He is a nude figure in full front view, with a sheathed sword hang-
ing at his side. With raised left hand he beckons his consent that his lovely
charge may leave his dark abode. Large wings springing from his shoulders,
and his face, expressive of mysterious melancholy, together with his sword,
at once reveal the Greek conception of the god of death, the brother of
Hypnos, god of sleep.1068 Thus, in Euripides' tragedy, Alkestis saw him
winged and carrying a sword. The bit of a strong arm, of a sixth figure,
may belong to a Heracles waiting for Alkestis' arrival upon earth. The
remaining figures are gone, leaving no trace as to whether Apollo and the
expectant Admetos were among them. In this relief, the details, especially
of the nude figures, show a neglect of the last finishing touches : perhaps,
from some cause, the work was left unfinished. The general composition,
and contrast of figures, are, however, worthy of a great master. The exceed-
ingly difficult task of representing a row of standing figures, without their
seeming sundered, is admirably accomplished ; and at the same time, when
seen from any point, they form a complete group. The ingenious manner
in which requisite variety of planes is obtained without disturbing the gen-
eral outlines of the shaft by undue projections, is, moreover, admirably adapted
to architectural ornament. On one of the remaining drums, Heracles seems
to be struggling with an Amazon ; but the other four are mutilated beyond
interpretation.
Immense sculptured blocks were also discovered, seven pieces in all, large
and small; but these were likewise too broken to divine their subjects or pur-
pose. Professor Newton has expressed the opinion, that they may have formed
Alkestis after a severe struggle, and took her back to her husband. On the
column the two myths seem combined. Hades (not seen in the cut) is en-
throned as becomes the god supreme of the under-world; and by him stands
Persephone (also not visible in the engraving), who seems to have bidden
Hermes, leader of souls, conduct Alkestis back to the upper-world. We see
Hermes looking up towards the world to which he is to lead back Alkestis, and
bearing his lowered kcrykcion in one hand, while the other, placed firmly on
his hip, is hidden in his mantle, which has dropped from the shoulder, and is
buttoned about his upper arm. His position is an easy, expectant one, the
motion of his legs being such that he seems about to step forward. Next
comes the beautifully draped Alkestis, whose head, alas ! is gone ; but the
motion of one hand, and of the opposite arm, indicate that she is buttoning
on her outer mantle, preparatory for the journey. While apparently looking
back, the motion of her feet shows that she is about to move away with Hermes.
Her beautiful drapery, with its careful surface-treatment, in which the wrin-
kles of nature are mirrored, without, however, detracting from its grand sweep,
calls forcibly to mind the drapery of the so-called Artemisia of the Mauso-
leum. The next figure is Thanatos, from whom the beautiful Alkestis is
rescued. He is a nude figure in full front view, with a sheathed sword hang-
ing at his side. With raised left hand he beckons his consent that his lovely
charge may leave his dark abode. Large wings springing from his shoulders,
and his face, expressive of mysterious melancholy, together with his sword,
at once reveal the Greek conception of the god of death, the brother of
Hypnos, god of sleep.1068 Thus, in Euripides' tragedy, Alkestis saw him
winged and carrying a sword. The bit of a strong arm, of a sixth figure,
may belong to a Heracles waiting for Alkestis' arrival upon earth. The
remaining figures are gone, leaving no trace as to whether Apollo and the
expectant Admetos were among them. In this relief, the details, especially
of the nude figures, show a neglect of the last finishing touches : perhaps,
from some cause, the work was left unfinished. The general composition,
and contrast of figures, are, however, worthy of a great master. The exceed-
ingly difficult task of representing a row of standing figures, without their
seeming sundered, is admirably accomplished ; and at the same time, when
seen from any point, they form a complete group. The ingenious manner
in which requisite variety of planes is obtained without disturbing the gen-
eral outlines of the shaft by undue projections, is, moreover, admirably adapted
to architectural ornament. On one of the remaining drums, Heracles seems
to be struggling with an Amazon ; but the other four are mutilated beyond
interpretation.
Immense sculptured blocks were also discovered, seven pieces in all, large
and small; but these were likewise too broken to divine their subjects or pur-
pose. Professor Newton has expressed the opinion, that they may have formed