Philadelphia Museum of Art Pediment, (sculpture)

Object Details

Index of American Sculpture, University of Delaware, 1985; City of Philadelphia, 1973.; Fairmount Park Art Assoc., "Sculpture of a City: Philadelphia's Treasures in Bronze & Stone," NY: Walker Publ., 1974, pg. 286.; Bach, Penny Balkin, "Public Art in Philadelphia," Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1992, pg. 220.; Save Outdoor Sculpture, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia survey, 1993.
Summary: The pediment contains thirteen figures of classical mythology which illustrate the theme of sacred and profane love in Western civilization. The central figure is Zeus, ruler of the gods. He stands holding a sphere in his proper right hand and a scepter in his proper left hand. His nude figure is draped with a piece of fabric and a decorative band across his chest. On his head he wears a crown. To his proper left is Demeter, protector of marriage, holding the hand of the child Triptolemus whom she rescued from a mortal illness. Next is Ariadne; Theseus slaying the Minotaur; and the beast Python. To the proper right of Zeus, is Aphrodite, goddess of love, and her son, Eros; Hippomenes in the form of a lion; Adonis; Nous (the mind); and Eos, goddess of the dawn. Eos turns away from the owl, bird of the night, which is located on the end of the pediment.

1932. Installed 1932

Owner/Location: Philadelphia Museum of Art 26th Street & Benjamin Franklin Parkway North Pediment Philadelphia Pennsylvania 19130

Art Inventories Catalog, Smithsonian American Art Museums

Topic: Figure group; Mythology--Classical--Zeus; Mythology--Classical--Demeter; Mythology--Classical--Python; Mythology--Classical--Aphrodite; Mythology--Classical--Ariadne; Mythology--Classical--Theseus; Mythology--Classical--Minotaur; Mythology--Classical--Triptolemus; Mythology--Classical--Cupid; Mythology--Classical--Adonis; Mythology--Classical--Nous; Mythology--Classical--Hippomenes; Mythology--Classical--Eos; Animal--Bird--Owl