Later we lunched at Demitrious’ suggestion, at a wayside taverna, a typical Greek lunch of roast lamb, tomato and onion salad, feta and fruit. Our water came from a clear chill spring high on Paramus. We stopped and did some shopping and then drove back to Athens. In all, an excellent day. That evening we met with the Russells and their friends for dinner at a taverna not far from the Grand Bretagne. Drinks at the hotel and then sleep.
August 3, Monday
The morning was spent in preparations for leaving and in settling all with Boy before their departure for London. I had time for a hurried visit to the Benaki Museum, which has a comprehensive and intriguing collection of icons, Coptic painting, oriental jewelry and ceramics, Greek costumes, etc., etc. At 2:00 p.m., our mini-bus arrived to take us to Daphni and Olympia. We were to stay in Olympia the night of August 3 at the Spiap Hotel. Daphni mosaics were somewhat of a disappointment in contrast with Ossios Lukas. We arrived at Olympia at about 8:30 p.m., went to our hotel, showered and had dinner.
August 4, Tuesday
Visited the museum at Olympia, which, in its remains of two major sculpture series, contains works that most vividly conveyed the existence of the “Olympians” – one of the most memorable experiences of the trip.
Lapith woman, pedimental sculpture from the Temple of Zeus, Archaeological Museum, Olympia
Pedimental sculptures from the Temple of Zeus, Archaeological Museum, Olympia
Centaur and Maiden, pedimental sculpture from the Temple of Zeus, Archaeological Museum, Olympia Athena helping Hercules, Archaeological Museum, Olympia
Later we strolled through the area of the ruins for a number of hours and I found many compositions of fragments to photograph for reference later in my studio at home. After a late lunch, we were driven to Patras where we had a two-hour wait before boarding the boat for Brindisi.
So ended our stay in Greece.
Statue Feet on Stone and Pillar by Sea, by Brice 47
Endnotes:
1 – 5: Illescas, Toledo
6: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
7 – 9: Prado, Madrid
10: Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando, Madrid
11 – 12: Royal Palace of Madrid
13: Hotel postcard that Brice collected
14: L to R: John Brice, Linda Russell, Jerry Russell, Sister Russell (mostly out of view) Shirley Brice, Boy Russell, Barbara Poe, guide, Adam Poe.
15: L to R: Capt. Andreas (back to camera) Barbara Poe, Boy Russell, Sister Russell, Shirley Brice, John Brice and Adam Poe (partially hidden), Piraeus
16: As it is today
17: As it is today
18: As it is today
19: As it is today
20: As it is today
21: The phallus sits atop a column that decorated the Stoivadeion , a temple to Dionysos. Relief scenes of a Dionysiac circle decorate the column.
22: As it is today
23: As it is today
24: As it is today
25: As it is today
26: Seated L to R: Adam Poe, Shirley Brice, John Brice and Linda Russell
27: Seated L to R: Boy Russell, Barbara Poe, Jerry Russell and Sister Russell
28: As it is today
29: As it is today
30: As it is today
31: As it is today
32: As it is today
33: As it is today
34: Drawing #15, Brice 1970 diary and sketchbook
35: As it is today
36: As it is today
37: As it is today
38: As it is today
39: As it is today
40: Drawing #7, Brice 1970 diary and sketchbook
41: As they are today
42: As it is today
43: As it is today
44: As it is today
45: As it is today
46: As it is today
47: Drawing #18, Brice 1970 diary and sketchbook
