Greece (Corfu)

The Gorgon Pediment (Western Pediment of the Temple of Artemis in Corfu)

2392

Created c. 580 BC, during the Archaic Period (specifically the early Archaic / Orientalizing transition phase of Greek art).

This object represents a major surviving portion of the western pediment of the Archaic Temple of Artemis in Corfu—recognized as the oldest large-scale stone pediment in ancient Greek architecture. Carved entirely out of local soft limestone ( poros stone), the architectural sculpture was executed in high relief, with certain central components deeply undercut and projecting dramatically from the tympanum background. Originally, the sculpture was richly enhanced with polychromy (painted pigments in shades of bright red, blue, black, and cream), substantial traces of which have survived on the hair, skirt, belt, and background fields.