CENTAUROMACHY
Iroko-wood carving 
132 x 108 x 11 cm

High relief representing  the Greek mythological theme of the fight of the lapitas, who won the battle against  the rural centaurs; these ones, invited to the wedding of Pirithous and Hippodamia, and overexcited after drinking too much wine  , tried to kidnap and rape their wives .The composition of this picture, with oblique lines that cross, together with the anatomical treatment of the figures and the strong light contrast, stresses the violent  movement, typical of this scene. The battle between centaurs and lapitas is a  frequently represented theme in Greek temples and it symbolizes the triumph of  civilization against  barbarism. In modern times,  painters like Rubens, L. Giordano, and A. Ricci dealt with this theme.

 

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