Athens, Acropolis 140 (Sculpture)

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Collection:	Athens, Acropolis Museum
Title:	Statue of Athena
Context:	From Athens, Acropolis
Findspot:	Found at Athens, Acropolis (found in 1864 while digging foundation trenches for the museum, according to Brouskari)
Summary:	Athena holding her shield
Object Function:	Cult?
Material:	Marble
Sculpture Type:	Free-standing statue
Category:	Single sculpture
Style:	Early Classical
Technique:	In-the-round
Original or Copy:	Original
Date:	ca. 480 BC
Dimensions:	H. 0.895 m
Scale:	Under life-size
Region:	Attica
Period:	Early Classical

Subject Description: Athena stands erect, with her right knee slightly bent, and her left hand resting on her hip. She presumably held her spear in her upraised right hand. She wears her aegis over a peplos, which is belted over the overfold, a chiton as an undergarment (barely visible at the hem), and sandals with thick soles.

Form & Style: The style of the drapery is doughy, as is characteristic of the early Classical, or Severe style. The slight bend of Athena's right leg is reminiscent of the pose of Pheidias' chryselephantine Athena Parthenos, as deduced from copies.

Condition: Intact

Condition Description: The head, left arm, right hand, and right foot are missing, as is most of the front of the plinth on which the statue originally stood.

Material Description: Island marble, according to Brouskari

Other Notes: Raubitschek has connected the statue with a base signed by the sculptor Euenor.

Sources Used: Brouskari 1974, 129-30, fig. 248

Other Bibliography: Ridgway 1970, 29 ff., fig. 39; Niemeyer 1960, 69-74; Lippold 1950, 109; Raubitschek 1949, no. 22; Langlotz & Schuchhardt 1943, no. 48; Schrader 1939, 48 no. 5, pls. 9-11; Dickins 1912, 93