Statuette of Athena Promachos
This statuette is the most faithful reproduction of the statue erected
by archon Hippocleides, in 566 BCE at the time of the Panathenaia festival.
We can distinguished two dresses under the himation pleaten
to the knees, while behind we can see the long aegis that reveals the curve
of the Goddess's back. It should be covered with a leaf of gold.
The top of the Attic helmet is derived from the motif of the swan
neck.
The whole statue is sculpted for only a point of view.
The opposition that exists among the severe face, that places this
work about 470 BCE, and the schematism of the dress pleats has been explained
due to a certain archaic taste understandable in an official work.
About 470 BCE
Athens, National Archaeological Museum
(Click the image for a full screen view)
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©1998-1999 Roy George