Western facade of the Parthenon and Erechtheum, seen from the Propylaea - Illustration from Views of Greece by Edward Dodwell

Western facade of the Parthenon and Erechtheum, seen from the Propylaea is an illustration from the collection Views in Greece from Drawings published by Edward Dodwell in 1821.

From the Propylaea, the western facade of the Parthenon is revealed in all its splendor, accompanied by the elegant Erechtheum. This panoramic view captures the harmony and balance of classical architecture, where every detail reflects the mastery and aesthetics of the ancient Athenians.

The literal transcription of the notice accompanying this plate is reproduced below:

It is unnecessary to give here a detailed description of so well-known a building as the Parthenon. The western facade, which this view represents, is almost complete and has suffered almost nothing from the dilapidations which have recently taken place. Fortunately, the sculpture in this part of the temple was considered too mutilated to be worth the expense of removing; consequently, it remained in its place. Here, all the objects are still to be seen in their original position, with the exception of the statues which decorated the tympanum, of which only two remain. These represented the dispute between Neptune and Minerva over the possession of Attica. The present entrance to the cella is at this end; but it is generally believed that the great or principal entrance was at the eastern end.

To the right or north of the Parthenon, and at a distance of about one hundred and sixty feet from this temple, are seen the beautiful and curious remains of the Erechtheum. Three contiguous buildings joined together form one and the same edifice. The one at the northern end is the tetrastyle portico which was common to the two temples of Minerva Poliades and Erechtheus. The wall which closes the inter-columns is modern, and thus disfigures the primitive elegance of this charming edifice.

The caryatid portico, which forms the southern corner of the building, is the Pandroseum, or Temple of Pandrose, daughter of Cecrops, king of Athens. This elegant and small building was originally adorned with six statues forming columns, which represented the slavery of the women of Carya; but today, only four remain. One of these columns has long been missing: the other was removed in 1801, and was replaced by a ridiculous pillar.

Mount Hymettus presents its high and broad slopes behind the Parthenon. The neighboring eminence, which rises in the shape of a cone, is Mount Anchesmus, and the heights seen in the distance are the rocks of Pentelicus, which furnished that beautiful, spotless marble, white as snow, which was used in the construction of the temples of Athens.