Caryatids of the Erectheum

1857

James Robertson

Associated Names
James Robertson

Artist, British, 1813 - 1888

Felice Beato

Artist, British, born Venice, 1832 - 1909

Antonio Beato

Artist, British, born Corfu (?), after 1832 - 1906

The image shows a section of the Erechtheion, an ancient Greek temple on the Acropolis of Athens, featuring the Caryatids porch. The sculpture consists of six female figures, known as Caryatids, serving as structural columns. They are carved from stone, likely marble, evident from the weathered appearance seen in the monochromatic tones of the photograph. The figures are larger than life, towering over the men at their base. The Caryatids exhibit elegance with their flowing garments and poised stances against the backdrop of the ancient structure.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    albumen silver print

  • Credit Line

    Gift of Michael and Jane Wilson

  • Dimensions

    image: 31.2 × 24.2 cm (12 5/16 × 9 1/2 in.)
    mount: 43.6 × 30.5 cm (17 3/16 × 12 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2012.137.7

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Michael and Jane Wilson, Wilson Centre for Photography, London, acquired 1989; gift to NGA, 2012.

Associated Names

Inscriptions

signed by artist, lower left in ink: Robertson; by unknown hand, bottom center in graphite: Caryatids of the Erectheum; bottom right in graphite: 89.3864 19R04; on verso by unknown hand, top left in graphite: Athens / Caryatids of the Erectheum; upper left in graphite: 476

Wikidata ID

Q64155461

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