Basic Information
- Period: Approximately 570 BC, Archaic Period
- Material: Poros limestone, with remnants of red paint
- Collection: Acropolis Museum, from the eastern gable of the Hekatompedon temple (Note: The double lions devouring the calf on the western gable are two separate sets of independent cornices on the opposite sides of the temple)
- Type: Temple gable architectural relief
Interpretation of the Picture
The mother lion crouches down to subdue the calf, with its front paws firmly holding the young animal, and its head lowered in a biting motion towards the prey.
1. The mother lion's thick mane is depicted with a rough and powerful style, with well-defined muscles and a full body; the calf lies on the ground, its head tilted back, showing a state of struggle and near-death.
2. The overall shape is a horizontal composition, perfectly fitting the narrow and long space at the lower part of the gable; the stone surface still retains red paint, indicating that there was originally a full-color painting.
3. This is the central main relief of the eastern gable, and together with the western gable (the three-headed monster, Heracles and Teritons, the double lions devouring the calf), it constitutes the decoration at both ends of the Hekatompedon temple.