Greek Sculpture by Fullerton Mark D.;

Author:Fullerton, Mark D.;
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Wiley
Published: 2016-04-25T00:00:00+00:00

8

Classical Moment II: Sculptors and Statuary in the Mid-Fifth Century

Following his comments on Pericles’ building program quoted above, Plutarch continues:

His general manager and general overseer was Phidias, although the several works had great architects and artists besides. Pericles 13.4; tr. Perrin, 41.

But it was Phidias who produced the great golden image of the goddess, and he is duly inscribed on the tablet as the workman who made it. Everything, almost, was under his charge, and all the artists and artisans, as I have said, were under his superintendence, owing to his friendship with Pericles. This brought envy upon the one, and contumely on the other… Pericles 13.9; tr. Perrin, 45.

And elsewhere in the biography:

Phidias the sculptor was contractor for the great statue, as I have said, and being admitted to the friendship of Pericles, and acquiring the greatest influence with him, made some enemies through the jealousy that he excited; …These latter persuaded one Menon, an assistant of Phidias, to… bring information and accusation against Phidias. …Embezzlement, indeed, was not proven, for the gold of the statue, from the very start, had been so wrought upon and cast about it by Phidias, at the wise suggestion of Pericles, that it could all be taken off and weighed, and this is what Pericles actually ordered the accusers of Phidias to do at this time. …[Found guilty, however, of inserting his and Pericles’ portraits among the figures on Athena’s shield]… Phidias was led away to prison, and died there of sickness. Pericles 31.2–5; tr. Perrin, 89–91.

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