Sunday, April 21, 2013

Getty Villa: Zeus

It is hard to miss Zeus.  This piece was done it Italy between A.D. 1-100.   As king of the Olympian gods, Zeus is often shown with a full beard and seated.    The Getty placard states that he originally had a scepter in his left hand and a thunderbolt in his right. 

It is patterned after a huge sculpture by Pheidias made of gold and ivory (490-430 B.C.)  for the god's temple at Olympia.  That particular sculpture was once considered one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world.   This was found in the late 1700's.

The piece below is also of Zeus.  It was, however, found partially buried in the sand at the bottom of the Mediterranean.  Those parts that were buried in the sand survived reasonably well.  Those exposed to the sea water, had various mollusks attached. 

You don't want to go through eternity with mollusks attached.  In fact, I don't think I want them attached at any point in my life.


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