Plaster Cast Frieze of Metope: Perseus Beheading Medusa in Front of Athena

1914.04.0011

Thumbnail of Plaster Cast Frieze of Metope: Perseus Beheading Medusa in Front of Athena (1914.04.0011)

Detailed Images

Basic Information

Artifact Identification Plaster Cast Frieze of Metope: Perseus Beheading Medusa in Front of Athena   (1914.04.0011)
Classification/
Nomenclature
  1. Built Environment Artifacts
  2. :
  3. Building Components
  4. :
  5. Surface Elements
Artist/Maker Unknown
Geographic Location
Period Archaic
Date 530 BCE
Culture Greek
Location On Exhibitin the Ancient Mediterranean exhibit

Physical Analysis

Dimension 1 (Length) 120.8 cm
Dimension 2 (Width) 118.6 cm
Dimension 3 (Depth) 23.0 cm
Weight waived g
Measuring Remarks N/A
Materials Plaster
Manufacturing Processes Cast

Research Remarks

Description

A well-preserved metope of the earliest period from the Greek colony of Selinus in Sicily. The city was founded about 628 B.C. by colonists from Megara and was captured and destroyed in 409 B.C. by the Carthaginians under Hannibal. This metope illustrates a favorite Greek myth in which Perseus, with the help of Athena, is enabled to elude the fatal spell of the Gorgon's petrifying gaze and slay her. Then, from the resulting blood flowing from the wood springs the winged horse, Pegasus, seen in Medusa's arms. The sculptor, in his desire to depict the whole story, has crowded the successive events into one scene as though they had occurred simultaneously.

Published Description Under Review
Bibliography

Robertson, Martin. A History of Greek Art. Cambridge University Press. 1975.

Artifact History

Credit Line/Dedication Classical Museum Purchase
Reproduction yes, Original made of Sicilian limestone now in Museo National, Palermo.

Contact

All information about our collection is constantly reviewed and updated. Please contact Dery Martínez-Bonilla, Registrar, if there is any information you are looking for that isn't currently online.

Share What You Know!

The Spurlock Museum actively seeks opportunities to improve what we know and record about our collections. If you have knowledge about this object, please get in touch with our Registration staff by using the form below. Please note that we cannot give appraisals, provide any information related to the value of any party's collections, or authenticate artifacts.

Please enter your first name.
Please enter your last name.
Please enter a valid email address.
Please enter comments you would like to share about the artifact.

All fields are required.