Fidia

This volume explores the artistic and cultural legacy of Phidias within fifth-century BCE Athens and his enduring reception in classical antiquity and modern art history. Focusing on the first monographic exhibition dedicated to the master sculptor, the essays examine his crucial role in shaping Periclean visual culture, particularly through the monumental decorative program of the Parthenon and his iconic chryselephantine statues of Athena Parthenos and Olympian Zeus. The contributions analyze key stylistic innovations attributed to Phidias, including the dynamic rendering of space and the influential "wet drapery" technique. Additionally, the text addresses critical scholarly debates surrounding the identification of Phidias's self-portrait on the shield of the Athena Parthenos, the socio-economic status of Classical artisans, and the urban context of Periclean Athens. By integrating archaeological evidence, epigraphic sources, literary traditions, and modern 3D digital imaging techniques, this study offers a comprehensive synthesis of Phidias's transformative impact on ancient sculpture.