Aegina W 11 (Sculpture)

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Collection:	Munich, Glyptothek
Title:	Aegina, W. Ped. 2, fig. W 11: Left Archer, Paris (?)
Context:	From Aegina, Sanctuary of Aphaia
Findspot:	Excavated at Aegina, Sanctuary of Aphaia
Summary:	Archer in Persian dress, Paris (?)
Material:	Marble
Sculpture Type:	Architectural
Category:	Statuary group
Placement:	West pediment 2
Style:	Late Archaic
Technique:	In-the-round
Date:	ca. 500 BC - ca. 490 BC
Scale:	Life-size
Region:	Saronic Gulf
Period:	Late Archaic
In Group:	Aegina West Pediment 2

Subject Description:

The Archer kneels facing left, in the act of drawing his bow. He sits back on his right leg, his left heel providing extra balance. He is dressed in an Eastern-styled long-sleeved tunic, leggings and a leather cap. The large hole on the left hip was presumably for the attachment of the bow case. Other details were added, especially around the head. The numerous holes below the neckguard again suggest individual tendrils of hair. The beardless face suggests a young man, the Eastern dress a Trojan. The most famous of Priam's young archers in the second Trojan War was Paris, hence the identification of this figure.

Form & Style:

The dress which Paris wears smoothes the contours of his body so that detailed modeling of musculature is absent. On the other hand the interest in the texture of leather and the effect of it pulled tightly over the body is a mark of development in itself. The pose relies on a sensitive balancing of the figure but does reflect not the more daring compositions of the East Pediment.

Condition: Nearly complete

Condition Description: Missing right foot.

Material Description:

Parian Marble

Associated Building: Aegina, Temple of Aphaia