This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1887 edition. Excerpt: ...countrymen in this dear and venerable form; not as a soldier, though not inferior to the greatest generals, but in his loftier and more benevolent character of the virtuous citizen and enlightened lawgiver. VENUS. (A Statue in Marble.) This Venus is only slightly varied from the one which I have already ...
Read More
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1887 edition. Excerpt: ...countrymen in this dear and venerable form; not as a soldier, though not inferior to the greatest generals, but in his loftier and more benevolent character of the virtuous citizen and enlightened lawgiver. VENUS. (A Statue in Marble.) This Venus is only slightly varied from the one which I have already noticed, and which was hardly allowed to be inferior to the Grecian goddess that exercises so propitious an influence on the destinies of Tuscany. The statue now under our notice was, however, sculptured many years later, and is distinguished by purity of design, and the most perfect and finished execution. The goddess has just come out of the bath, and is about to dry her limbs with a linen cloth which she holds in her hand; her body is modestly bent forward in a graceful curve, and her head turned towards the left shoulder, not, as in the other statue, with the quick and animated glance of one who hears the approach of a beloved object, but rather with the retiring and tranquil expression of modest alarm. The shape of this Venus is more formed than that of the former, and there is more of ease and repose in her posture and features; the minutest difference which so consummate an artist has thought proper to make in two models of female beauty, executed at different periods of his life, is doubtless highly interesting; but I deem it prudent to desist here from a comparison which is dangerous even when between mortal beauties, and advise the lover of art to content himself, as I shall do, with tracing out and admiring the peculiar charms which each of them possesses. PIUS VI. (A Colossal Statue in Marble.) Canova must have had in his mind, when he imagined this fine statue, that arduous moment in the life of Pius the Sixth when he was torn from...
Read Less