The experiment cannot be fairly tried till tried on marble, and in
conditions of space, atmosphere, &c., similar to those under which the
originals were placed.
I would ask those critics who stand on the ground of traditional
opinion, not too rashly by hard words to attempt to stop the inquiry
which this experiment may suggest. The facts are too strong to be put
aside by any opinion. If all who are anxious for the truth will only
seek it, there is little doubt that we may approach, if we do not reach
it.
I have done all in my power to aid the cause. I have stood in the
breach, and shall be content should others walk over me to a more
complete victory. I am only anxious, in the meanwhile, that the Greeks
should not be condemned on my account.
I have no authority whatever for the colouring of the monument of
Lysicrates in the Great Transept. One fact deserves to be recorded, the
beautiful bas-reliefs of the frieze were absolutely invisible from
below, when in white, and this made me certain that it was a monument
designed to receive colour, and I therefore determined to attempt its
restoration.
OWEN JONES.
CRYSTAL PALACE, _June, 1854_.
NOTE BY MR. PENROSE.
I have seen no reason to alter my opinion (quoted p. 6) that the surface
of the marble played a considerable part in the general effect, and that
it was not concealed with paint, but tinged or stained in some manner to
the proper tone. An extensive and careful examination of the Pentelic
quarries by the orders of King Otho has shown that large blocks such as
were used at Athens are very rare indeed. The distance also from the
city is considerable: whereas there are quarries on Mount Hymettus at
little more than one-third of the distance (and most convenient for
carriage), which furnish immense masses of dove-coloured marble (much
prized, it would seem, by the Romans, Hor. ii. 18), and inferior in no
respect but that of colour to the Pentelic. It could therefore only have
been the intrinsic beauty of the latter material that led to its
employment by so practical a people as the Athenians. With respect to
the use of the outline traced with a sharp point (p. 16), had this been
a provision for repaintings, its absence from the Doric echinus is at
least conclusive that there was no ornament painted on that member; for
on no part of the architecture would the difficulty of reproducing the
pattern have been greater. But since these outlines are found
indifferently both on small and large mouldings, it seems to be a sound
conclusion which limits the painted ornaments to the parts so outlined.
REPLY.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account