Phidias

Phidias was a renowned ancient Greek sculptor who lived in the 5th century BC. He is best known for his colossal chryselephantine statues of Athena in the Parthenon and Zeus in the Temple of Zeus at Olympia, which were among the wonders of the ancient world. He also supervised the sculptural decoration of the Parthenon and other buildings on the Acropolis of Athens. He was a master of realism, proportion, and idealism in his works, which influenced generations of artists. He was also a friend and associate of Pericles, the leader of Athens during its golden age. Phidias faced charges of embezzlement and impiety for allegedly stealing gold from the statue of Athena and portraying himself and Pericles on its shield. He was either imprisoned or exiled to Elis, where he worked on the statue of Zeus until his death. His original works have not survived, but many Roman copies and descriptions by ancient writers attest to his skill and fame.