Page 107 - Beholding Liberty!
P. 107
PERISTYLE
I.2.36
Unknown studio (probably German)
Greek Women Spinning by Antiquities, ca. 1840-50
coloured metal disc, 48.5 × 63.5 cm Hellenic Parliament Art Collection, inv. n. 95
THE FUCTIONAL OBJECT of the metallic disc has been artistically dressed, thus giving a spe- cial product of tthe applied arts. This piece of art- work must be dated at about 1840-50 and probably it comes from a German workshop.
The painting depicts two Greek women with elab- orate clothings, spinning next to the ancient ruins
and columns. In the background of the composition unidentified monuments are seen and one gener- alized depiction of the Athenian Acropolis. Here, the orientalistic and folkore character is combined with the antiquity worship trend, by connecting the Greek world of the 19th century with its classic heritage.
THE AWAKENING OF HELLENISM From Enlightenment to Patriotism 107
