Representing beauty, control, and strength, the Poseidon d’Artémision stands before you. It is a bronze copy of a classical sculpture. The original dates back to around 460 BC. This copy stands proudly in the grounds of the Palace of Europe in Strasbourg.
The original Poseidon d’Artémision was discovered in the sea. It was found off Cape Artemision in Greece. Fishermen found it in 1926 and 1928.
The question remains: Does the sculpture depict Poseidon or Zeus? Debate continues among experts. If it is Zeus, the right hand likely held a thunderbolt. If it is Poseidon, a trident was probably in his grasp. The god is in motion. One arm and leg extend toward an unseen foe. The other arm and leg are bent. This suggests he is about to strike.
The Poseidon d’Artémision embodies heroic nudity. It may be the work of Kalamis. He was a great sculptor of the 5th century BC.
Greece donated this copy to the Council of Europe in 1998. Alexis Kyrou was the Permanent Representative of Greece to the UN. He declared Greece’s commitment to cooperation. This is embodied by the UN.
Tryve Lie was the Secretary-General when the sculpture was accepted. He stated the UN was grateful. He appreciated the gift of this replica. It is one of the most beautiful examples of ancient Greek sculpture. Our world consists of diverse cultures. They must find common ground for understanding and mutual respect.
The original sculpture is quite large. It stands about 2 meters tall. The Poseidon d’Artémision presents a mature, bearded man. He stands in a dynamic pose. His left leg extends back. His right leg is bent. His hair is tied. Disordered locks cover his forehead. His face shows calm. He seems focused on his target.
Some say the sculptor played with the viewer’s gaze. He decomposed the movement. This added dynamism. Others believe it is meant to be viewed from the front. The body fits within a square. It unfolds to its maximum extent. This aligns with the simplified and emphatic gestures. It is typical of the severe style.
The statue has some morphological inconsistencies. These include the body’s position. The stretching of the left foot is another. The arms are as long as the legs. These archaic features link the sculpture to the severe style. The precision of the muscle volumes hints at the classical style. Experts date it to around 460 BC. This is contemporary with the Temple of Zeus at Olympia. The Poseidon d’Artémision is roughly contemporary to the famous Charioteer of Delphi.
The statue’s face appeared on a Greek stamp. It was a 0.10 € stamp issued in 2007. In 2015, the Greek post dedicated a 0.47 € stamp to the sculpture.
Here at the Palace of Europe, the Poseidon d’Artémision stands. It reminds us of the beauty, strength, and ideals of ancient Greece. It symbolizes cooperation and mutual respect. It bridges cultures. It is a powerful symbol of our shared heritage.