Aegina W 3 (Sculpture)

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Collection:	Munich, Glyptothek
Title:	Aegina, W. Ped. 2, fig. W 3: Right Opponent
Context:	From Aegina, Sanctuary of Aphaia
Findspot:	Excavated at Aegina, Sanctuary of Aphaia
Summary:	Opponent of right Champion W 2
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 Opponent W3 faces left. Little of this figure has survived but fragments include a well-preserved head, both feet each with plinth and enough of the right leg to reconstruct the pose. Like W2 he stands at an angle to the front pedimental plane. The right leg is slightly bent; the left foot set at the front edge of the pediment. He appears firmly balanced, with his weight evenly distributed. In the West Pediment the principal combatants are more evenly matched; in the East a contrast is drawn between the stronger and the weaker opponents. The shield carried on the warrior's left arm would have obscured much of the figure from the viewer. According to Ohly's scheme this warrior is a Greek. The head assigned to this figure is extremely well preserved and handsome in its detail. It represents a young, unbearded warrior with a Corinthian helmet set back on his head. The nosepiece of the helmet was made separately and has not survived. The hair is carved in great detail. The individual strands were combed from the top of head and held in place by a fillet. A single row of neat snail curls frames the face. The hair at the back of neck is equally close-cut and tidy.

Form & Style:

The modeling of the right leg is stylistically well advanced. The strain of the muscles is clear but not exaggerated, and the rendering appears to reflect movement below the surface. Most interesting, however, is the head attributed to this figure. It is one of the most developed stylistically of all the West Pediment heads. The facial structure is completely unified; there is no division into registers or zones. The features are large and full without appearing to cut into the face. The upper lip in particular is given prominence. The expression of seriousness or gravity is one of the most characteristic of the Early Classical period. The short hair at the nape of the neck is also typical of the new style, but in other respects the hair is a conservative feature, especially the row of snail curls around the face. Only this element links the head to others from the West Pediment. Yet perhaps the single rather than double tier is a compromise on the curls, which otherwise appear almost archaistic in this context.

Condition: Fragmentary

Condition Description:

Preserved: head; right lower leg with knee, foot and plinth; left foot and plinth; left upper arm with part of shield.

Material Description:

Parian Marble

Associated Building: Aegina, Temple of Aphaia