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Smith, Arthur H. [Editor]; British Museum <London> / Department of Greek and Roman Antiquities [Editor]
Catalogue of sculpture in the Department of Greek and Roman Antiquities (Band 2) — London, 1900

DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.18217#0111
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THE FRIEZE OF THE MAUSOLEUM.

97

There is a characteristic treatment of oblique lines, as
most of the figures are either lunging far forward or
drawing themselves back, but always having one leg
stretched out at full length. This effect is heightened
by the long and slender proportions of the figures. The
relief is exceedingly salient, the limbs being constantly
sculptured in the round; bold foreshortening is not un-
frequently used. The outlines are marked with extreme
force, a channel being worked in the marble round many
of the figures, and deep undercutting used wherever it
would contribute to the effect.

The composition of this frieze is distinguished by the
wonderful animation and energy which pervade the
whole. Tried by the standard of the school of Pheidias,
the frieze may perhaps be considered a little strained and
overwrought in style, and unduly restless for an archi-
tectural composition.

In the representations of the Amazons, forms occur in
which the feminine character seems too much emphasised
for such an heroic type, and we may here detect the
development of that sensual element which gained so
powerful an ascendency in the later schools of art, but of
which we have no trace in the works of Pheidias, and
only faint suggestions in the Phigaleian frieze.

The whole frieze was coloured. From the examination
of a number of fragments on their first disinterment, it
was ascertained that the ground of the relief was a blue
equal in intensity to ultramarine, the flesh a dun red,
and the drapery and armour picked out with colours.
The bridles of the horses, as on the frieze of the Parthenon,
and some of the weapons, were of metal, as may be seen by
an examination of the horses' heads, several of which are
pierced for the attachment of metal. On slab No. 1015
the end of the leaden fastening still remains in the jaw
of the horse. This variety of colour must have greatly

vol. ii. h
 
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