by Artist (4)
Open Access
Riders
North Frieze, Block 36, Parthenon, Acropolis, Athens
Artist: Unknown Greek Artist Primary
Date:
442 BCE - 438 BCE
5th century BCE
Dimensions:
42.5 x 49 x 3 in. (107.95 x 124.46 x 7.62 cm)
Object Type:
Plaster Cast
Creation Place:
Europe, Greece
Medium and Support:
Plaster cast after Pentelic marble original
Credit Line:
Gift of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2004
Accession Number:
2019.04.17
On View:
Bellarmine Hall Cast Corridor
The Riders are the most widely recognizable sculptures from the Parthenon’s frieze, in large measure because they are perhaps the best preserved sculptures in the entire ensemble. They are also remarkable for their embodiment of the Classical ideal of both man and horse.
The action on the North Frieze, as in this example, shows the cavalcade in full motion. Subtle overlapping defines groups which we now know are rows of riders. The sculptors brought the row forward to fill one or two blocks within the frieze, in part because they did not yet know how to show six or eight riders receding directly into the distance (an innovation that would be discovered in the Hellenistic period).
Each rider is expressive in a unique and individual way. Here, for instance, one is seen holding the reins low in his left hand, while another extends his right arm, as if to caress his horse gently between its ears. Horses tug at the bit, shake their heads, flicker their ears, arch or extend their necks in a variety of ways to convey their nervous energy within the procession. Remarkably, the sculptors and designers never repeated the same horse or rider within the entire frieze.
This cast was taken from a marble original now located in theAcropolis Museum in Athens .
The action on the North Frieze, as in this example, shows the cavalcade in full motion. Subtle overlapping defines groups which we now know are rows of riders. The sculptors brought the row forward to fill one or two blocks within the frieze, in part because they did not yet know how to show six or eight riders receding directly into the distance (an innovation that would be discovered in the Hellenistic period).
Each rider is expressive in a unique and individual way. Here, for instance, one is seen holding the reins low in his left hand, while another extends his right arm, as if to caress his horse gently between its ears. Horses tug at the bit, shake their heads, flicker their ears, arch or extend their necks in a variety of ways to convey their nervous energy within the procession. Remarkably, the sculptors and designers never repeated the same horse or rider within the entire frieze.
This cast was taken from a marble original now located in the
Bibliography
Catalogue of the Collection of Casts. New York: Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1910, 68 #530
Keywords
Click a term to view other artwork with the same keyword
Equus caballus
Hooved animal. Original populations of Equus caballus were once found in the steppe zone from Poland to Mongolia. Now domesticated, horses occur throughout the world and in feral populations in some areas. Three of the several early breeds of horse - Przewalski's horse from central Asia, the tarpan from eastern Europe and the Ukrainian steppes, and the forest horse of northern Europe - are generally thought to have been the ancestral stock of modern domestic horses. According to this line of thinking, Przewalski's horse and the tarpan formed the basic breeding stock from which the southerly 'warm-blooded' horses developed, while the forest horse gave rise to the heavy, 'cold-blooded' breeds. All modern breeds are divided as light, fast, spirited breeds typified by the modern Arabian, heavier, slower, and calmer working breeds typified by the Belgian, and intermediate breeds typified by the Thoroughbred. They are also classified according to where they originated (e.g., Percheron, Clydesdale, and Arabian), by the principal use of the horse (riding, draft, coach horse), and by their outward appearance and size (light, heavy, pony).
Hooved animal. Original populations of Equus caballus were once found in the steppe zone from Poland to Mongolia. Now domesticated, horses occur throughout the world and in feral populations in some areas. Three of the several early breeds of horse - Przewalski's horse from central Asia, the tarpan from eastern Europe and the Ukrainian steppes, and the forest horse of northern Europe - are generally thought to have been the ancestral stock of modern domestic horses. According to this line of thinking, Przewalski's horse and the tarpan formed the basic breeding stock from which the southerly 'warm-blooded' horses developed, while the forest horse gave rise to the heavy, 'cold-blooded' breeds. All modern breeds are divided as light, fast, spirited breeds typified by the modern Arabian, heavier, slower, and calmer working breeds typified by the Belgian, and intermediate breeds typified by the Thoroughbred. They are also classified according to where they originated (e.g., Percheron, Clydesdale, and Arabian), by the principal use of the horse (riding, draft, coach horse), and by their outward appearance and size (light, heavy, pony).
Athenian Acropolis
An ancient citadel located in the city of Athens containing the remains of several ancient buildings including the Parthenon, the Propylaea, the Erechtheion, and the Temple of Athena Nike.
An ancient citadel located in the city of Athens containing the remains of several ancient buildings including the Parthenon, the Propylaea, the Erechtheion, and the Temple of Athena Nike.
Pentelic marble
A famous Greek marble quarried at Mount Pentelikon near Athens. It is pure white but may turn yellow after long exposure to air; a few miniscule veins of talc sometimes cause a faint greenish tint. It was used in antiquity as early as the 6th century BCE and continued to be popular for both sculpture and architecture; both the sculptural decoration and the architectural members of the Parthenon are made of Pentelic marble.
A famous Greek marble quarried at Mount Pentelikon near Athens. It is pure white but may turn yellow after long exposure to air; a few miniscule veins of talc sometimes cause a faint greenish tint. It was used in antiquity as early as the 6th century BCE and continued to be popular for both sculpture and architecture; both the sculptural decoration and the architectural members of the Parthenon are made of Pentelic marble.
High Classical
Refers to the middle phase of the Greek Classical period and style, from around 450 BCE to around 400 BCE. In sculpture it is characterized by the complete mastery of the ideal human form, represented in balanced, subtle movement and with drapery that clings to the body to reveal the form beneath. In vase painting, it is characterized by an increased refinement and variety of human forms and facial expressions. In architecture it is characterized by a lightening of proportions and a refinement of earlier established orders.
Refers to the middle phase of the Greek Classical period and style, from around 450 BCE to around 400 BCE. In sculpture it is characterized by the complete mastery of the ideal human form, represented in balanced, subtle movement and with drapery that clings to the body to reveal the form beneath. In vase painting, it is characterized by an increased refinement and variety of human forms and facial expressions. In architecture it is characterized by a lightening of proportions and a refinement of earlier established orders.
public domain
Land owned and controlled by the state or federal government. Also, the status of publications, products, and processes that are not protected under patent or copyright.
Land owned and controlled by the state or federal government. Also, the status of publications, products, and processes that are not protected under patent or copyright.
acropolises
The higher and usually fortified sections of ancient Greek cities, typically containing temples and some public buildings and used as places of refuge.
The higher and usually fortified sections of ancient Greek cities, typically containing temples and some public buildings and used as places of refuge.
Ancient Greek
Refers to the culture and styles of ancient Greece, generally excluding modern and prehistoric periods, but including periods between around 900 BCE to around 31 BCE. For the culture of Greece in general, including modern Greece, see "Greek."
Refers to the culture and styles of ancient Greece, generally excluding modern and prehistoric periods, but including periods between around 900 BCE to around 31 BCE. For the culture of Greece in general, including modern Greece, see "Greek."
Parthenon
An ancient temple on the Athenian Acropolis dedicated to the goddess Athena Parthenos during the 5th century BCE. The structure was built to commemorate the Greek victory over the Persians and also served as the city's treasury.
An ancient temple on the Athenian Acropolis dedicated to the goddess Athena Parthenos during the 5th century BCE. The structure was built to commemorate the Greek victory over the Persians and also served as the city's treasury.
sculpture
Three-dimensional works of art in which images and forms are produced in relief, in intaglio, or in the round. The term refers particularly to art works created by carving or engraving a hard material, by molding or casting a malleable material (which usually then hardens), or by assembling parts to create a three-dimensional object. It is typically used to refer to large or medium-sized objects made of stone, wood, bronze, or another metal. Small objects are typically referred to as "carvings" or another appropriate term. "Sculpture" refers to works that represent tangible beings, objects, or groups of objects, or are abstract works that have defined edges and boundaries and can be measured. As three-dimensional works become more diffused in space or time, or less tangible, use appropriate specific terms, such as "mail art" or "environmental art."
Three-dimensional works of art in which images and forms are produced in relief, in intaglio, or in the round. The term refers particularly to art works created by carving or engraving a hard material, by molding or casting a malleable material (which usually then hardens), or by assembling parts to create a three-dimensional object. It is typically used to refer to large or medium-sized objects made of stone, wood, bronze, or another metal. Small objects are typically referred to as "carvings" or another appropriate term. "Sculpture" refers to works that represent tangible beings, objects, or groups of objects, or are abstract works that have defined edges and boundaries and can be measured. As three-dimensional works become more diffused in space or time, or less tangible, use appropriate specific terms, such as "mail art" or "environmental art."
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Portfolio List
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