Repository: UIHistories Project: Book - Gregory Art Collection Catalog (Gregory) [PAGE 13]

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3S. The Three Graces.— This is a work, probably of the seventeenth century, executed during that period of false and overdone art bent represented by Bernini. The drapery is stiff and unnatural, The position is curious and wholly without grace. The hair is dressed in a Dutch Myle, and it is probable that the group is the work of a Dutch artist. :t}». nay.—This and the following piece are life-sized figures on the Mausoleum of Julian de'Mediei, in the new Sacristy of Sun Lorenzo,, at Florence. Julian .vas the younger son of Lorenzo the Magnificent, and brother of Pope Deo X. His monument and that of Lorenzo dc' Medici opposite were made by Michael Angelo after his return from Rome the first time. This figure of Day a u d i t s companion-piece lie on the slopes of the tomb, while the statue of Julian is placed above. They are ranked among the finest works of Michael Angelo, but are critizised for their exaggerations and violence of action. Tainc says. " nothing in modern statuary equals these figures, and tlie noblest antique statues are not superior. Phidias executed serene gods, and Michael Angelo suffering heroes ; but suffering heroes are equal to serene gods." 4 0 . .fight ( t o Jfottc).— This is the pendant piece of the Day of Michael Angelo. " A grand female form extauded is sleeping ; an owl in front of it is placed at its feet. This is the sleep of exhaustion, the dull lethargy of an overtaxed being who has sunk down and rests inert."—J'. Florence had just been fighting to keep away her oppressors, the Medici, but had been vanquished, Michael Angelo indicates the sentiment of ibis statue of Night, in tlie following lines which he wrote on her pedestal : "Sleep is sweet, and yet more sweet is it to be of stone,while misery and wrong endure. Not to see, not to feel, is my joy. Lo ! wake me not ! Ah '. speak in whispers'." " T h e figure of Night is conceived with wonderful grandeur. * * The tower pail of the figure is executed with power and energy."—L. 4 1 . Itaivtl.—This and its companion-piece Twilight, are on the Tomb of Lorenzo de'Mediei, (see No. 17), in the Sacristy of San Lorenzo. Their exaggerated forms are somewhat at variance with tlie calm repose of the figure of Lorenzo above them. The figures were made just at tlie seige of Florence when M. Angelo took so prominent a part in its defence. After the overthrow of the free government be tried lo forget in his work " the ruin of vanquished liberty, the defeat of outraged justice, * * and it is this indomitable rebellion of his soul, sternly confronting oppression and servitude that, he has put into his heroes and virgins."— T. 4 2 . Twilight.—The companion piece of the Dawn, of Michael Angelo, on the tomb of Loreuzo de' Medici (see No. 41). 4 3 . .Ksculapias.—The original of this piece stands in the Louvre museum at Paris. It was found in Home. It is not known to what artist this may be ascribed. The head and right, hand of JSscuhvpius, and a part of the serpent are modern. The god of medicine clothed in a mantle, leans upon a staff around which a serpent (emblem of immortality), is coiled. The little figure in the hooded cloak represents Telesphorus who is generally placed with the figures of .Ksculapius,

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iEsculapius learned his medical art from Chiron, the Centaur, and became so proficient that he could bring the dead back to life. This enraged Pluto, aud he caused the daring physician to be destroyed by light*+ nings. j\ 4 4 . Three Graces.—Canova. This graceful group, composed of * H .three life-sized figures, is in one of the European collections, and is one of the favorite works of the great Italian artist. The figures stand in easy attitudes, and there is little affectation in the position. The group resembles that of 'J horwalsden's. (For artist see No. 86). 4 5 . Euterpe—The original of this small east is life-size, and fni stands in the Louvre museum. It was found in Rome and is probably r t j t - t h e work of a Grecian artist. A flute in either hand, Euterpe leans against a column, vrhich is partially covered by the folds of her drapery. The nose, the arms to the elbows and some of the folds of the drapery are restorations. Euterpe was the muse who presided over music and performed ou two pipes at once. By these pipes she is generally distinguished from her sister muses. 4 6 . Ceres.— This small cast is taken from a life-size original. She holds a wreath in the right hand and a bunch of wheat in the left. The drapery is long, falling in graceful folds around the limbs. Ceres was the goddess of grain and harvest The Elensinia in Greece, and Cerealia in Rome, were festivals celebrated for this divinity.

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4 7 . Jflagetalcne.— This sitting figure is one of the works of Pampaloni, a modern Italian artist. There is very little merit in the piece. It lacks strength and is not well proportioned. 4 8 . Itaechante.— This is the work of Clodion, a French artist of the last century, who pursued his art studies partly in Belgium. The figure is that of a young maiden, representing a follower of Bacchus. The right hand holds a bunch of grapes, the left rests upon an urn, also containing grapes. The drapery is graceful but not true to nature. 4 » . Bacchante.— This is a figure very little different from tne preceding one, and easily recognized as by the same master. The position is reversed ; the right arm resting upon the urn, which is of a different shape from that in the other statue. 5 0 . ttorghesc 1""ase.—This magnificent vase now stands in the Louvre museum. It was excavated in the gardens of Sallust at Rome, and formerly belonged to the Borghese family there, whence its name. It was found in the sixteenth century, at the same time and in the same place as the Sileiius and Infant Bacchus. It is of the best style of Grecian art. The reliefs represent a Bacchanalian fete. The principal group consists of Bacchus leaning upon a y o u n g Bacchante, who plays a lyre while a Satyr dances to the music. A panther crouches at his feet. Farther on the drunken Silenus, ivy-crowned, stoops painfully to take something from the ground. Bacchantes and Satyrs play on their instruments and dance around 51. Hying Gladiator. — The statuefrom which this cast is taken is a life-dze figure in tne Capitoline museum at Rome. It was found in thegardens of Sallust in that city. Theauthorof this famous work is not known, but the Dying Gladiator belongs to the fourth epoch, and by some is ascribed to Ktesilaus, an artist of that period. The right arm is a

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reminding of his convalescence and the mysterious art of his master.