Metopes (relief sculptures) on the Athenian Treasury depicting the deeds of Theseus. These metopes, modern copies of the originals, were painted in vibrant colors and inlaid with bronze in places. They stretch the bounds of relief sculpture, with figures twisting out of the stone and extending above the stone block in certain panels.
Metopes on the East side of the Treasury of Athens. Although constructed after the battle of Marathon in 490 BCE, the artistic style of the treasury is firmly Archaic, visible in some recovered metopes. It was the first mainland greek building with metopes on all sides, and there were a total of 30 metopes on the treasury depicting legendary scenes from the adventures of Theseus and Hercules, as well as both their fights against Amazons, or their Amazomachies. The metopes pictured are 1906 copies of the original metopes, now held in the Delphi Archaeological Museum, and depict deeds of Theseus. The metopes are carved in high relief, with some figures leaping and twisting out of relief, and were decorated with bright colors and inlaid bronze in places. The metopes were found scattered around the area, and there are several theories for their original placement and theme groupings. The copies pictured are, from left to right, Metope 2: Theseus and a Brigand, Metope 4: Theseus and Skiron (DH.81), Metope 3: Theseus and Kerkyron, and Metope 6: Theseus and the Bull of Marathon. Details of modern theories of the original placement, as well as images of the original metopes, can be found in Gensheimer 2017.
Creation date unknown. Photograph processed July 1978. Notes written on the slide or index: Athenian Treasury - detail.
