Comparing Two Marble Sculptures

Marble sculptures adorn the entrances and facades of some of the most extraordinary buildings over time. I will compare and contrast two of these sculptures. First, is the Three Goddesses, c. 438-432 B.C.E., 233 cm long, from the Parthenon’s east pediment built at the Acropolis, Athens, Greece. Second, is the Old Testament Queens and Kings, Royal Portals jamb statues, Chartres Cathedral, c. 1150, Chartres, France. These grand architectural buildings were built during prosperous times later becoming famous landmarks. There are similarities in Three Goddesses and Old Testament Queens and Kings; however, there are certain distinctions that set them apart. One of the first things that come to mind is that both of these sculptures decorate the outside of grand buildings in an effort to relay a much deeper meaning. Cartwright indicates the Parthenon was built with mythological scenes acknowledging a triumphant victory during the Persian Wars and to celebrate their protector Athena. Three Goddesses (see p. 4, Fig.1) is part of a scene that depicts the birth of Athena. The goddesses are probably Hestia, Dione, and Aphrodite lying in her mother’s lap (Cartwright). Old Testament Queens and Kings (see p.4, Fig 2) jamb statues depict the Old

Phidias, the master sculptor of Three Goddesses, not only took into consideration the surface of the sculpture, but also knew how the muscles and bones worked to portray a naturalistic movement of the bodies. His integrated mixture of thin and heavy folds of fabric present a play of highlights and shadows revealing a more feminine form (Kleiner 68). The Old Testament Queens and Kings master sculptors, however, followed the Romanesque style of St. Denis in the Early Gothic cathedrals. The folds of fabric have more volume and appear elongated, rigid, and simple in form (Kleiner