Perry, Walter Copland: Greek and Roman sculpture: a popular introduction to the history of Greek and Roman sculpture (London, 1882)

396

SCOPAS OF FAROS.

known where they were originally found. They came into the pos-
session of Cardinal Fesch, and were sold in Paris in 1816. One of
them was bought by H. von Klenze, and transferred to the Glyptothek
in Munich.'

In this very beautiful and original composition Poseidon (fig.
168, D, a) appears seated in a chariot drawn by two young Tritons, one
of whom is blowing a sea-shell, while the other holds a lyre. By the
side of the mighty' Earth-shaker' is the dignified and graceful form of
Amphitrite (fig. 168, D, b), who is drawing her bridal veil more closely
round her head. A Nereid in the head-dress of a matron, probably Doris
the Oceatiid (fig. 16S, c, c), comes to meet them, riding on a Hippocamp
(fig. 168, c, d). These three majestic personages form the central group,
which is flanked on each side by a subordinate group of three youthful
female forms ; one of whom (fig. 168, B, e), to the left of Doris, seated
in a graceful attitude on a. Sea bull (fig. 168,13,/), is bearing aloft with
both her hands the indispensable Jewel-box of the bride. Of the two
others, one (fig. 168, A, g) is riding a Triton (fig. 168, A, h) of the Centaur
type, and the other (fig. 168, A, i) a Sea dragon (fig. 168, A,/). On the
right side of the central group, immediately behind the chariot of Posei-
don, a lightly clothed Nereid (ftg. 168, E, k) lies stretched in the coils of a
Hippocamp's (fig. 168, E, /) sinuous body, with her back to the spectator,
holding a goblet in one hand and a goblet in the other.2 Tzuo other
Nereids (fig. 168, F, m, n) follow, on the back of a Sea dragon (fig.
168, F, 0) and a Triton (fig. 168, F, p) respectively.

The simple grandeur of the original conception is developed into
a rich variety of lines by the fantastic shapes of the marine monsters,
in contrast with the lovely forms of the Nereids, who recline with
such easy grace and serene confidence among the coils of their
grotesque steeds, that we accept their strange and impossible position

1 O. Jahn, Bcricht d. siic/is. Gescllsch.
IS54, p. 163, Taf. iii.-viii. As examples
of the manner in which the Greeks re-
presented the Deities of the ocean, see the
Statue of Poseidon in the Vatican, which
is greatly marred by the restored aplastic;
the bust of Glaucus in the same gallery;
two fine Tritons in the Conservator!
Palace in Rome; a doiddc Triton Henna
in the Capitol. Museum; two colossal

heads of Tritons in the Villa Albani with
fins for eyebrows, which fall over the
cheek and round the chin ; and others in the
Vatican. For a description of Tritons vid.
Pausan. ix. 21, I.

• Compare the beautiful group at Naples
representing a graceful nymph riding on a
Hippocamp. The same subject is treated
in a line gem in the collection at Florence
and in another at Berlin.