DESCRIPTION

No C 19
Paris, Musée du Louvre E 861
Black-figure amphora

Zeus is seated on a throne. He is represented with head, and legs in profile to the right, the body diagonally. Seated, he is as tall as the surrounding standing figures. The right forearm is extended horizontally forward, the hand with extended fingers seen on the back. The left forearm is extended obliquely upward, the hand grasping a thunderbolt. The god has a pointed beard and wears his long hair loose, with a narrow headband, which is decorated with flowers. His dress consists of a chiton and a himation.

Athena is represented emerging from the head of Zeus. On the picture only her head is seen, in profile to the right. The goddess wears a helmet.

There are eight other deities in the picture. On the right stand a goddess, the arms extended forward, with palms turned to each other and extended fingers enclosing the head of Zeus, Poseidon, identified by the trident, and a group of three goddesses, probably the Moirai. On the left side stand a goddess, the right arm raised, with palm turned inward and extended fingers, the left arm extended obliquely upward with palm turned outward and extended fingers placed on Zeus' head, Dionysos, characterised as such by the ivy-wreath and the drinking-horn, and Hera, identified by the staff and the pomegranate.

The throne has rectangular legs, ending in lion's paws, and a curved back with a swan's head finial.

The small figure of a naked man, with hands held up as if to support the seat, is seen between the legs of the throne.

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