Accession Number
1984/2.58.4

Title
Temple of Nemean Zeus

Artist(s)
Mary Peck

Artist Nationality
American (North American)

Object Creation Date
1979; printed by 1982

Medium & Support
gelatin silver print on paper

Dimensions
4 3/16 in x 5 1/4 in (10.64 cm x 13.34 cm);14 in x 11 in (35.56 cm x 27.94 cm)

Credit Line
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. David C. Ruttenberg through the courtesy of the Ruttenberg Arts Foundation

Subject matter
This is a photograph of the Temple of Nemean Zeus in Nemea, Greece; the fourth of eight photographs in Mary Peck’s portfolio, The Temples of Greece which is comprised of black-and-white photographs depicting dramatic Greek landscapes, each accented by ancient ruins. The rich tonal ranges in the prints reflect the majesty of the expansive scenes. As described in the introduction of the portfolio, at Nemea, “Zeus stretches out in a long straight axis under the sky. Everything open wide to dominion. The earth has velocity, the sky expanse. The hills lift back from the god’s columns in one vast, tranquil gesture.” -Vincent J. Scully, 1982

Physical Description
This photograph depicts a temple emerging from a barren landscape, rocks scattered around. Mountains line the horizon in the background and clouds fill the top of half of the scene.

Primary Object Classification
Photograph

Collection Area
Photography

Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.

Keywords
Ancient Greek (culture or style)
Greece
Landscapes
Ruins
clouds
historic landscapes
landscapes (representations)
modern and contemporary art
monuments
mythology (literary genre)
ruins
temples (buildings)
trees