Greek
Parthenon Frieze: Four Elders
Description:
PARTHENON: The construction of the Parthenon on the Acropolis began around 450 B.C. The temple stands as a symbol of glory and wealth the Athenians gained from victories against the Persians years earlier. The Parthenon, a building in the high classical style, is described as an organic, harmonious temple. In the Doric order, the outer colonnade has eight columns at the facade and seventeen columns at the sides. Moving to the interior, the Parthenon has a front and back porch with Doric columns. The statue of Athena was placed at the center surrounded by a colonnade of 23 smaller columns. The temple would have been adorned with extravagant sculptural decoration, and the doors to the cella decorated as well.
The frieze that surrounds the top of the interior chamber is a Panathenaic procession, a ritual homage to Athena, which commemorates the Athenian festival through depictions of both the citizens and the gods and goddesses they worshipped. More so, the procession represents the felt Athenian pride during the years of the Parthenon’s construction. It is a procession of civic celebration and democracy.
The Parthenon friezes originally encircled the entire building. This cast is of a portion of the frieze from the North side of the temple. The cast depicts four elders as part of the procession paying homage to Athena. The four Elders depicted here are identifiable by their richness of dress and grooming poses. One Elder is shown gazing out at the viewer while conspicuously adjusting his wreath.
Period of Original: Greek
Origin of Original: Greece, Athens
Location of the Cast: 20 W. 44 St. New York, NY USA
Provenance: Metropolitan Museum of Art
Condition: The cast has been restored and hangs in The Grand Central Academy of Art’s studio.
Additional Information: