The Parthenon 1863

Ippolito Caffi made this depiction of the Parthenon using oil on canvas. The Parthenon itself was constructed in the mid-5th century BC, made from Pentelic marble, quarried locally and hauled up to the Acropolis. Although Caffi's painting is not marble, consider the relationship between the original structure, its materials, and the way they affect our perception. The weight and texture of the marble give a sense of permanence, even in ruin, a testament to its endurance through centuries of conflict and environmental exposure. But here, the ruins are mediated to us through the artist's hand. We see a visual representation of architecture, made possible through the industrialization of paint production and canvas, which became cheaper and more readily available in the 19th century. The choice of marble for the Parthenon was no accident; its quality reflected the wealth and power of ancient Athens. Caffi's painting, in turn, reminds us of the material conditions that give rise to art, architecture, and indeed, our understanding of history.