Phidias sculpting the statue of Athena

Phidias sculpting the statue of Athena

Of Phidias’ life little is known apart from his works.

Although no original works exist that can be attributed to him with certainty, numerous Roman copies of varying degrees of fidelity are known to exist.

The earliest of Phidias’ works were dedications in memory of Marathon, celebrating the Greek victory.

His first commission was a group of national heroes with Miltiades as a central figure.

At Delphi he created a great group in bronze including the figures of Greek gods Apollo and Athena, several Attic heroes, and General Miltiades the Younger.

On the Acropolis of Athens, Phidias constructed a colossal bronze statue of Athena, the Athena Promachos, which was visible far out at sea.

At Pellene in Achaea, and at Plataea, Phidias made two other statues of Athena, as well as a statue of the goddess Aphrodite in ivory and gold for the people of Elis.

1869

Raffaello Sorbi

Italian 1844-1931

oil/canva