Extract taken from the magazine ‘Decorative Stones’ January 2003

March 26 16:11 2015 Print This Article

Many decades before the 1821 revolution, even before the theories of the German Joachim Vinkelman, who separated Ancient Greek Art from Ancient Rome and displayed with enthusiasm the superiority of Greek Architecture which made the Europeans interested in the ancient Greek life and especially the monuments of the Acropolis reached its highest point.

The Parthenon which has inspired countless writers, historians, researchers and artists worldwide has resulted in the Parthenon becoming an attraction for tourists and visitors alike who would visit the sight daily to admire and to be taught art and civilization. However, these tourists didn’t just admire the monument they would also take with them a piece from the monument for their collection as if it were a souvenir and it would also represent a reminder to this magnificent ancient Greek monument. Due to the weight of the marble the would select pieces of quality and parts of a sculpture, which composed of architectural pieces which were particular in sculptural decoration. Then, in 1801 came the big merchant Elgin who was interested not only in quality but in quantity.

E.F.

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