Erechtheion. The portico of caryatids. 1882

Vasily Polenov painted "Erechtheion. The portico of caryatids" in oil, capturing a fragment of the ancient Greek temple. Polenov, a Russian artist, depicts the Erechtheion, focusing on the Caryatid Porch. Built on the Acropolis in Athens, the Erechtheion held religious significance and was dedicated to both Athena and Poseidon. Polenov’s choice to paint classical architecture reflects a broader cultural interest in ancient civilizations during the 19th century. The Russian art academy encouraged the study of classical forms as a foundation for artistic training. Polenov's painting captures the enduring allure of classical architecture and its symbolic importance within European art and culture. Understanding this work fully requires examining the history of archaeology, the cultural exchange between Russia and Greece, and the changing perception of classical art in the 19th century.