Great British theft, a photo from Attiki, Attica

Photographer's Note

One of the most popular structures on the Acropolis Hill is the Porch of the Maidens (Caryatids), a fragment of Erechtheion (Erechtheum). I thought I will write my own note here but Wikipedia did a decent job so I copied a very interesting fragment here. A tragical story of this structure well illustrates the fate of the whole Acropolis Hill.

In 1800 one of the caryatids and the north column of the east porch together with the overlying section of the entablature were removed by Lord Elgin in order to decorate his Scottish mansion, and were later sold to the British Museum (along with the pedimental and frieze sculpture taken from the Parthenon). Athenian legend had it that at night the remaining five Caryatids could be heard wailing for their lost sister. Elgin attempted to remove a second Caryatid; when technical difficulties arose, he tried to have it sawn to pieces. The statue was smashed, and its fragments were left behind.

One of those original six figures, removed by Lord Elgin in the early 19th century, is now in the British Museum in London. The Acropolis Museum holds the other five figures, which are replaced onsite by replicas. The five originals that are in Athens are now being exhibited in the new Acropolis Museum, on a special balcony that allows visitors to view them from all sides. The pedestal for the Caryatid removed to London remains empty.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erechtheion#Porch_of_the_Maidens

ikeharel, ricardomattos, jean113, PaulVDV, PiotrF, ChrisJ, papagolf21, COSTANTINO, adramad has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Silvio1953 (223103) 2020-11-11 4:35

Ciao Mariusz, great view of fascinating architecture, lovely composition with couple in _FG, excellent clarity, fine details, splendid light and wonderful colors, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

lousat (140070) 2020-11-11 4:41

Hi Mariusz,interesting note and a new top quality pic from Athens,i like the decentralized position of Porch of Maidens to have a great view on the city in background too,spectacular quality of details!! Have a nice day and thanks,Luciano

Fis2 (172083) 2020-11-11 5:52

Czesc Mariusz!
Warto bylo ryzykowac takich widokow ;)
Znakomita kompozycja z kariatydami na pierwszym planie i wspaniala panorama w glebi.
Dobry kadr i kolorki.
Milego popoludnia.
Krzysztof

ricardomattos (17600) 2020-11-11 7:18

Hi Mariusz

Very interesting note and a well done picture here with the Caryatids and the city at the foot of the hill. LOvely place and fantastic view.

Best regards

Ricardo

jean113 (28349) 2020-11-11 8:25

Hello Mariusz, informative notes; I knew about Lord Elgin but not precisely where the 'theft' had taken place.
This is a fantastic shot.
Excellent sharpness throughout right to the distant hills.
The composition is well balanced, and the presence of the couple completes the picture.
Kind regards, Jean.

pajaran (117201) 2020-11-11 11:26

Greeting.
Interesting and beautiful view, well shown with beautiful colors, contrast and good text.
Beautiful old architecture and part of the city in the background, a well-captured moment with visitors.
I wish you a nice and peaceful night, all the best.
Paja.

Tue (93592) 2020-11-11 12:51

Hello Mariusz,
A great photo of this very famous part of the Acropolis. The composition is very well balanced with a great juxtaposition of the temple and the wider view of the city. The two people are also well included.
Lars

PaulVDV (63574) 2020-11-11 13:08

Hello Mariusz,
Less known than the Great Train Robbery, but I suppose everyone in Greece knows.
I like this picture of the Caryatid porch of the Erechtheion very much because at the same time it gives a great view of Athens in the distance.
The two visitors at the bottom left provide a well balanced photo.
Best regards, Paul

Miguel82 (47110) 2020-11-11 13:10

Mariusz, the acropolis was built on a hill overlooking Athens. The dense metropolis stretches in the background. The sculptures used as columns are very attractive. Fine colors, good sharpness, regards.

PiotrF (56188) 2020-11-11 17:09

Czesc Mariusz
Ladny widok tej czesci Akropolu i interesujaca notatka o losach posagow.
Dobry kadr i swietna jakosc.
pozdrawiam
Piotr

ikeharel (114751) 2020-11-11 21:00

An attraction on top of the Akropolis hill, Mariusz.
It endured many centuries and yet a renovations took place several years ago.
A combined view due north with th e city houses and mountains far beyond.
Have a nice new day,
Ike

ifege (49617) 2020-11-11 22:03

Hi Mariusz
The British, Germans and French were all very good at thefts. A good photo of this corner of the Acropolis.
cheers
Ian

ChrisJ (172442) 2020-11-11 23:08

Czesc Mariusz!

I was happy to see these in person and again replicas on both sides of the Austrian Parliament building in Vienna. A good overview of the city and it seems that tourists are allowed much closer now than in 2013. Tfs!

jemaflor (148368) 2020-11-11 23:32

Hi Mariusz,
Great monument with these statues, excellent composition and frame, perfect sharpness and sunlight, good effect with people in the opposite corner, good with the perspective of the BG with the town, tfs.

papagolf21 (152607) 2020-11-11 23:34

Bonjour, cher Mariusz,
Que dire devant tant de splendeur et de cette page d'Histoire !
Il faut contempler et admirer la beaut� d'ensemble.
Un grand merci pour ce partage.
Amiti廥.
Philippe

Royaldevon (86564) 2020-11-12 3:35

Hello Mariusz,

These Caryatids make a superb subject. They are so interesting, so iconic, and seem to capture the character of Ancient Greece!
I like how well, you have given close attention to the f/g, in terms of the ancient sculptures and the other photographers, whilst the oof b/g creates an excellent sense of the setting.

My warm regards,
Bev :-)

BennyV (34780) 2020-11-12 5:44

Hello Mariusz

Only steal with your eyes...I guess that's a concept that wasn't too popular back in them days:) Luckily it is now, or rather: just take a picture, as the couple is doing.

But what if Lord Elgin had a camera? Would he have been satisfied with just a good picture? Nope...I guess not.

Fine picture, nice title.

Benny

jmdias (116635) 2020-11-12 9:33

mariusz

at first congratulations! there so many images of this part of the monument but I liked the different angle you got here with the city ahead and the couple in front. very special!
I hated the visit of acropolis museum because it was prohibited to take photos inside, probably they think digital camera will spoil the marble! it is a nice idea to put replicas in the place of original sculptures preserving the original ones. it is a difficult matter to deal about "stolen"art, in some aspects elgin gave a worth to the sculpture that otoman rulers didn't give to them in that age and greeks weren't able to preserve by themselves because they lived in an occupied land. for this angle the theft preserved the pieces, for another they are part of greece.. it is hard discussion..
take care
jorge

COSTANTINO (117940) 2020-11-12 22:26

hello dear friend and have a nice day
thanks for sharing with us this
impressive part of the acropolis
and THANKS for your message
about the statue which is now
in the British museum in London
lets hope that one day the return
of this statue will be a reality
for all of us
welldone
regards
costantino

Hellas (7123) 2020-11-13 2:33

Hi Mariusz!
History and the objects that keep it alive are of great value!

Interesting dialogue between you and Jorge, thank you!

Kind regards,
Athanasios.

adramad (73498) 2020-11-18 10:24

Hello Mariusz.
I really like this framing of the Caryatids, from a medium distance, which makes us see a part of the city, and the wonderful balcony with the sculptures seems to look at the city at their feet.
Very nice coloring, which together with good sharpness and optimal lighting, gives great quality to the image.
Well done. I like very much
You have a good day.
Very best regards
Luis.