
Relief of the “Pensive Athena”
Relief of the “Pensive Athena”
It was found in two pieces, south of the Parthenon and is one of the finest examples of the so-called “Severe Style”. It depicts Athena standing in front of a low stele. The goddess wears a peplos, secured around the waist with a belt, and a Corinthian-type helmet. She stands leaning on her spear with one hand, while the other rests on her hip. Her feet are bare; her bodyweight placed primarily on the right foot, while the left is extended backward, her toes just resting on the ground. The goddess has her head bowed, directing her gaze at the low stele in front of her. (circa 460 B.C.)