3-008-406 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

"The Temple of Minerva in Ægina, Greece", by Harry Johnson, in the Gallery of the British Institution, 1862. Engraving from a painting. 'Those fine old remains of Archaic grandeur which have survived the secret ravages of time, the convulsion of earthquakes, and the plundering hands of man for upwards of 2000 years, still in the silent ruin proclaim the genius and taste of the age which produced them, and which, in spite of all that may be said to the contrary, has been the informing principle of all great art that has been since the Revival, or may hereafter arise...It may be proper to state for the information of those who have only heard of the Temple of Ægina, as one dedicated to Jupiter, that recent explorers have discovered the site of a second temple there, and that in the opinion of many...the name of Jupiter Panhellenius was misplaced as applied to the ruins so long known as "the Temple of Ægina", which was more properly to be described as dedicated to Minerva. Mr. Harry Johnson has adopted this view of the matter, and hence the title of his picture, which might otherwise be misunderstood, or lead to confusion'. From "Illustrated London News", 1862.