A closer look at the karyatides

In ancient times, six karyatides (singular: Καρυάτις, plural: Καρυάτιδες) graced the south column gallery on the Erechtheion (Ἐρέχθειον). The Erechtheion served as a temple to Athena Polias, Poseidon, the hero Erichthonius, and perhaps the legendary king Erechtheus. A karyatis is a support column of a temple, in the form of a woman. While the six on the Erechtheion appear copies, they can, in fact, be distinguished from one another. That is exactly what we'll be looking at today.

The statues are labeled Kore (maiden) A to F. Kore's A through C hold their left leg out, while Kore'sm D through F hold their right leg out. The biggest differences between the karyatides can be found in their clothing, and in their hair. While all six of the women wear an Ionic chiton, subtle differences can be found in its design. Kore B, for example, has a much shallower fold of cloth at her midsection, and their necklines all vary. Needless to say, they also have different bits missing, but as that was not intended by the sculptor, we'll not look into those differences today.

Their hair is most telling, though. Most have fishtail braids down the back, along with regular braids wrapped around the head, but some of the karyatides have sidecurls, while others do not, and their placement differs. o investigate this, Dr. Katherine Schwab created the Caryatid Hairstyling Project at Fairfield University, which laboured to recreate the hairstyles of the six karyatides from the Erechthion. The hairstyles were recreated on models--students in this case--by hairstylist Milexy Torres. You can see the results, and the subtle differences, below:

In the words of Schwab:

"The project was an experiment to replicate the hairstyles of the famous Caryatids from the Erechtheion [...] The Caryatids’ hairstyles are a remarkable and fascinating way to learn more about ancient Athenian society, especially during the fifth century B.C. [...] When Milexy made the final version, an adaptation of the general hairstyle, it was extremely comfortable, very light and cool.  I was surprised by how few pins and small plastic bands were needed to keep the different braids in place. "

The six statues currently on display on the Erechtheion are copies; five of the statues were removed during restoration of the building, and are now on in the Acropolis Museum in Athens where they are being restored and preserved. The last of the statues is in the British Museum in London, where it was taken to around 1800 by Lord Elgin. Despite steps to reclaim the statue, the British government has this far refused to return it. As a result, one of the pedestals in the display chamber of the statues in the Acropolis museum remains empty.

• Monday, July 1, 2019
  ancient Hellenic culture archeology Athena Athena Polias Athens current affairs Erichthonios karyatis Temples

The restoration work on the karyatides continues

A karyatis (singular: Καρυάτις, plural: Καρυάτιδες) is a support column of a temple, in the form of a woman. In ancient times, six karyatides graced the south column gallery on the Erechtheion (Ἐρέχθειον). The Erechtheion served as a temple to Athena Polias, Poseidon, the hero Erichthonius, and perhaps the legendary king Erechtheus. The six statues currently on display on the Erechtheion are copies; five of the statues were removed during restoration of the building, and are now on in the Acropolis Museum in Athens where they are being restored and preserved.

The Archaeology News Network reports that the make-overs of the statues that started in 2011 are well underway, and that the have museum had released images and video of the process and progress. The restoration work is expected to finish in June are is executed by three goggle-wearing conservators making use of custom-designed lasers to burn away soot and grime from the karyatides.

The process is a true marvel of ingenuity. The Network reports that it takes about seven months to cleanse each of the larger than life-sized statues, which were carved around 420 BC. Conservators use a technology developed especially for the Acropolis sculptures, employing two infrared and ultraviolet wavelengths so as to avoid causing discoloration or abrasion, while leaving intact the patina, that orange hue that the statues took on with the passage of centuries.

“The laser beam hits the black crust formed on the surface of the statues over the years, and that absorbs energy and disintegrates,” head conservator Kostas Vassiliadis mentioned. “The crust has a much lower resistance threshold than the marble, which is not affected.”

• Saturday, May 10, 2014
  archeology current affairs karyatis modern Greece Temples

A little bit more about the karyatides

After writing yesterday's blogpost, I took to Youtube and found the video you see below, explaining a bit more about the Erechteion and the karyatides. It's very informative, and yes, I probably should have Youtubed this before I posted yesterday's blog post about the karyatides. Sorry about that. I was going to go back and edit the blog post, but I don't like doing that, so you're getting it today under the label 'this is not a real blog post'. Better work from me tomorrow, everyone, excuzes moi.

 

The video was made by professor Kenney Mencher as a part of his lecture series. From his website:

 

"Originally from New York, NY, Kenney Mencher earned a BA and MA in Art History from City University of New York and University of California, Davis, respectively, following which he went on to obtain a MFA in painting from the University of Cincinnati in Ohio. He has taught at a number of institutions including the University of Chicago and Texas A&M University, and now teaches at Ohlone College in Fremont, California. He is the author of a text book Liaisons: Readings in Art, Literature and Philosophy. His exposure via solo and group exhibitions is extensive nationwide."

• Thursday, June 6, 2013
  ancient Hellenic culture archeology Athena Athena Polias Erichthonios karyatis Temples this is not a real post video

The women of the karyatis porch of the Erechtheion

In ancient times, six karyatides (singular: Καρυάτις, plural: Καρυάτιδες) graced the south column gallery on the Erechtheion (Ἐρέχθειον). The Erechtheion served as a temple to Athena Polias, Poseidon, the hero Erichthonius, and perhaps the legendary king Erechtheus. A karyatis is a support column of a temple, in the form of a woman. While the six on the Erechtheion appear copies, they can, in fact, be distinguished from one another. That is exactly what we'll be looking at today.

 

The statues are labeled Kore (maiden) A to F. Kore's A through C hold their left leg out, while Kore'sm D through F hold their right leg out. The biggest differences between the karyatides can be found in their clothing, and in their hair. While all six of the women wear an Ionic chiton, subtle differences can be found in its design. Kore B, for example, has a much shallower fold of cloth at her midsection, and their necklines all vary. Needless to say, they also have different bits missing, but as that was not intended by the sculptor, we'll not look into those differences today.

 

Their hair is most telling, though. Most have fishtail braids down the back, along with regular braids wrapped around the head, but some of the karyatides have sidecurls, while others do not, and their placement differs. o investigate this, Dr. Katherine Schwab created the Caryatid Hairstyling Project at Fairfield University, which laboured to recreate the hairstyles of the six karyatides from the Erechthion. The hairstyles were recreated on models--students in this case--by hairstylist Milexy Torres. You can see the results, and the subtle differences, below:

 

 

In the words of Schwab:

 

"The project was an experiment to replicate the hairstyles of the famous Caryatids from the Erechtheion [...] The Caryatids’ hairstyles are a remarkable and fascinating way to learn more about ancient Athenian society, especially during the fifth century B.C. [...] When Milexy made the final version, an adaptation of the general hairstyle, it was extremely comfortable, very light and cool.  I was surprised by how few pins and small plastic bands were needed to keep the different braids in place. "

 

The six statues currently on display on the Erechtheion are copies; five of the statues were removed during restoration of the building, and are now on in the Acropolis Museum in Athens where they are being restored and preserved. The last of the statues is in the British Museum in London, where it was taken to around 1800 by Lord Elgin. Despite steps to reclaim the statue, the British government has this far refused to return it. As a result, one of the pedestals in the display chamber of the statues in the Acropolis museum remains empty.

• Wednesday, June 5, 2013
  ancient Hellenic culture archeology Athena Athena Polias Athens current affairs Erichthonios karyatis Temples