F. B. Tarbell, A History of Ancient Greek Art

Greek Painting

Timanthes

Timanthes seems to have been a younger contemporary of Zeuxis and Parrhasius. Perhaps his career fell chiefly after 400 B. C. The painting of his of which we hear the most represented the sacrifice of Iphigenia at Aulis, The one point about the picture to which all our accounts refer is the grief exhibited in varying degrees by the bystanders. The countenance of Calchas was sorrowful; that of Ulysses still more so; that of Menelaus displayed an intensity of distress which the painter could not outdo; Agamemnon, therefore, was represented with his face covered by his mantle, his attitude alone suggesting the father's poignant anguish. The description is interesting as illustrating the attention paid in this period to the expression of emotion. Timanthes was in spirit akin to Scopas. There is a Pompeian wall-painting of the sacrifice of Iphigenia, which represents Agamemnon with veiled head and which may be regarded, in that particular at least, as a remote echo of Timanthes's famous picture.

 

Next Chapter: Pamphilus and Pausias

Back to the table of Contents * More online Greek Resources

Greek Forum: Post a question / Start a discussion Receive updates : Promote Greek Learning

Reference address : http://www.ellopos.net/elpenor/greek-texts/ancient-greece/history-of-ancient-greek-art-81.asp

www.ellopos.net