The Restoration of a Georgian Period Parthenon Frieze

Summary

During the Georgian Period a sculptor named John Henning (1771-1851) obtained permission to make a model of the Parthenon friezes. After twelve years of carving he produced a smaller scale slate copy of the Parthenon frieze in which castings were made for collectors. Very few of these have survived as plaster is a fragile medium. In 2013 one of these rare pieces was discovered and was preserved in an archival state through conservation. Because of Henning’s study and model of the original Parthenon friezes he was selected in 1824 to carve a full height replica on the outside of the Athenaeum Club in London. This discussion relates the history of the architectural design of the Athenaeum Club and an overview of the restoration process to conserve the plaster casting of the relief.

Parthenon Frieze Bas-relief

Period: Georgian

Date: c. 1824 A.D.

Culture: Greek

Medium: Plaster

Dimensions: Overall: 14.25 x 1.50 x 52.50 in. (36.195 x 3.81 x 133.35 cm.)

Iconography: Parthenon Frieze

Keywords

Temporal Coverage

Calendar Date: 1824 to 1830

Spatial Coverage