Head of the Horse of Selene

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The head of one of Selene's horses has become one of the most widely recognised and popular Parthenon sculptures. Built as a monument to Athena, much of the Parthenon's sculptural decoration depicts various stages in the life of the city's patron goddess, including representations of other events fundamental to Athens, like the Panathenaic procession and mythical battles between Gods and Giants, Lapiths and Centaurs. The East Pediment of the building is especially concerned with Athena's birth from Zeus' head underneath the central gable. Other gods and goddesses are present, bearing witness to this event and filling in the triangular space either side of the main scene. At either corner, the artist has alluded to time by depicting Helios rising on the left and Selene setting on the right. The familiar horse head we see today is all that remains of Selene's quadriga. Both pediments are severely damaged, but fortunately Pausanias recorded descriptions when he visited the Acropolis at the end of the second century AD, helping us build a picture of the original composition. The horse was carved from Pentelic marble and attributed to Phidias, one of the great sculptors of the Classical Age. The construction of the Parthenon began in 447 BC, but the main pedimental decoration took place later, between 438 and 432 BC. This decoration is some of the finest sculpture of the High Classical Period. The torso of Selene still resides in Athens, along with other deities depicted in the scene. The figures are sculpted in movement, their bodies twisting and turning in various positions, giving an almost see-through-like impression of fluid fabric. This style contrasts sharply with Archaic period sculpture and even earlier Classical sculpture. Similarly, the horse head is remarkable for its expression carved by the sculptor. As it nears the end of its journey, we can see its eyes bulging, nostrils flared, and mouth gaping and panting, with muscles and veins in its face expertly rendered, encapsulating exhaustion in its effort to pull the moon across the sky. The head of Selene's horse is carved from Pentelic marble, a testament to the skill of Phidias. The construction of the Parthenon began in 447 BC, but the main pedimental decoration took place later, between 438 and 432 BC. This decoration is some of the finest sculpture of the High Classical Period. The figures depicted in the scene are sculpted in movement, their bodies twisting and turning in various positions, giving an almost see-through-like impression of fluid fabric. The horse head itself is remarkable for its expression carved by the sculptor, capturing exhaustion as it pulls the moon across the sky. Pausanias' descriptions of the Acropolis have helped us build a picture of the original composition. The torso of Selene still resides in Athens, along with other deities depicted in the scene. The horse head can now be found in the British Museum, a testament to its enduring popularity and beauty. The construction of the Parthenon began in 447 BC, but the main pedimental decoration took place later, between 438 and 432 BC. This decoration is some of the finest sculpture of the High Classical Period, showcasing Phidias' skill and artistry. As we gaze upon the horse head, we can see its eyes bulging, nostrils flared, and mouth gaping and panting, with muscles and veins in its face expertly rendered, encapsulating exhaustion in its effort to pull the moon across the sky. The horse was carved from Pentelic marble, a testament to Phidias' skill as a sculptor. The East Pediment of the Parthenon is especially concerned with Athena's birth from Zeus' head underneath the central gable. Other gods and goddesses are present, bearing witness to this event and filling in the triangular space either side of the main scene. At either corner, the artist has alluded to time by depicting Helios rising on the left and Selene setting on the right. The familiar horse head we see today is all that remains of Selene's quadriga. The horse was carved from Pentelic marble and attributed to Phidias, one of the great sculptors of the Classical Age.