The Naked Aphrodite

The statue of the nude Aphrodite (Venus) is an absolutely beautiful, larger than life, Roman sculpture constructed of marble around the 4^th century B.C.E but was later discovered in 17^th century A.D. (1666-1670). When looking at the sculpture, it is apparent that Aphrodite is attempting to cover herself possibly after bathing. She is standing with her right leg bent as her left leg remains straight. The detail in this sculpture is exquisite because her womanly shape is so precise it looks as if it is truly a real woman standing before you. Her right arm is making an effort to cover her breasts while her left hand is successful at covering her pubic area. The expression on her face is quite blank as she is maybe trying to hide her embarrassment very nonchalantly. Her head is turned to the left as if she is looking for a place to hide and her hair appears to be half up, half down in a messy fashion. Overall the piece is incredibly stunning and the appearance of the sculpture is smooth and soft similar to the way Aphrodite probably felt after her bath. The myth behind this sculpture relates to the story of how Aphrodite was born. Among other stories, Aphrodite was born of the sea foam when angry Cronus castrated his father Uranus (sky god) during his mating time with Gaia (Mother earth goddess) when Uranus' sperm fell from the sky, it landed in the sea and from the foam arose Aphrodite. Boticelli's famous painting The Birth of Venus perfectly depicts what Aphrodite looked like when she arose from the foam.

~Lisa Drusedum

Capitoline Faun

Capitoline Faun - Statue of a satyr in the Capitoline Museum

A satyr is a mythological creature closely associated with Dionysus, drinking, and lustfulness.  Sometimes in art they are given horse or goat legs and tales with upper bodies of men.  The common representation is that of a man with goat hooves and animal ears.  They typically inhabited the wilds and woodlands, playing pipes and causing mischief.  They loved to chase maenads, nymphs, bacchants (worshipers of Dionysus), and women in general.  They also have a special love for wine and are often depicted on wine cups.  The most well known satyr is the Greek God Pan, lord of the wild, shepherds, rustic music, and companion to the nymphs.  He is also connected to fertility and the season of Spring.  Pan is also the only Greek god in all of ancient mythology who dies.  According to Plutarch, the sailor Thamus was traveling to Italy when he heard a divine voice telling him that Pan was dead.  Another story concerning Pan is that of Pitys.  Pitys was a beautiful forest nymph who had attracted the attention of both Pan and Boreas, the raging North Wind.  Forced to choose between the two, Pitys chose Pan because he was being more quiet than Boreas.  Angry at not being chosen, Boreas tossed Pitys off a cliff and killed her.  When Pan found her body, he was sad and turned her into his patron tree, the pine tree.  Legend says that this is why pine trees have resin that drips down every Fall: it is the tears of the nymph that fall when the North Wind blows.

--Michael Green  

Leda With The Swan--Evan Rodenhausen

Leda With The Swan: Copy of marble statue attributed to Timotheos, from 360 B.C. 132 cm high.

Myth: Leda, the wife of Tyndareus, King of Sparta, was a beautiful mortal woman who was coveted by Zeus. Enamored with the woman, the Olympian God disguised himself as a gorgeous white swan, and proceeded to rape and/or seduce Leda. Certain myths speak of how this was the same night she lay with Tyndareus, and the result was two sets of twin off-spring, each set hatched from a different egg; from Zeus, she birthed the stunning Helen, who later played a role in the launching of the Trojan War after being taken by Paris, and Pollox. From Tyndareus came Castor, who formed a famous and deep relationship with Pollox, and Clytemnestra, the future wife (and murderer) of Agamemnon.

Pluto and Proserpina -- Ryan Flynn

Located in the Borghese Museum, the “Pluto and Proserpina” piece is a white marble statue designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. It portrays the mythological story of Pluto rising from the Underworld to steal Proserpina. Pluto was lonely and desired a wife, so Jupiter promised him Ceres’s daughter. Proserpina was in a field picking flowers when Pluto arrived and snatched her away, which is the climax of the story that Bernini chose to depict. Ceres and Pluto later agreed to split custody of Proserpina: Ceres would get Proserpina in the spring, and Pluto would have her in the Underworld during winter. The overall story attempts to explain the concept of seasons changing.

"Triumph of Galatea" By Raphael

Picture: Villa Farnesina Website.

Villa Farnesina in Rome was a vivid experience of the mythological illustrations throughout the 1500’s.“The Triumph of Galatea” created by Raphael in 1511-1512. This piece of artwork was created with a peculiar technique of fresco on plaster. The entire wall is engulfed by a mural of great proportions with elements that enrich the theme. The size of the painting is approximately 290 inches by 220 inches. The myth connected with this fresco was the story revolves around Polyphemus, the cyclops son of Poseidon, who was in love with the beautiful Nereid Galatea. Nereid Galatea fell in love with the peasant Aces and Polyphemus killed Aces out of jealousy by crushing him with a huge rock. After Aces untimely death Galatea transformed Aces into a river. Another part of the myth describes how Polyphemos would sit on a cliff and play songs out of pipes while Galatea would listen and enjoy them. In the main painting the Nymph, Galatea, is riding a chariot pulled by two grotesque dolphins. She seems to be enjoying the moment and the sound of the Cyclops playing his instrument. There are three cherubins, or cupids, with bow and arrows attempting to shoot the beautiful Nymph. Perhaps the multiple Cupids are the representation of the Cyclops’ love trying to bring down it’s quarry. The Nymph seems to be riding with great alacrity, so much so  that the wind is blowing and pulling her hair to the side.

Monica Salazar

Apollo and his Lyre

The piece I chose is a white marble statue of Apollo, located in Rome’s Capitoline museum.  The white marble statue beautifully depicts Apollo as a young man, boyishly naked, and with his lyre in hand.  The myth associated with this statue tells the story of how Apollo came to be depicted with a lyre. The myth states that Mercury found a tortoise shell lying in the glass, picked it up, and bored holes into the edge of the shell.  Mercury, then fastened hollow reed inside and with leather and strings made a lyre.   Later that night, he stole fifty of Apollo’s finest heifers.  Apollo believed that Mercury had stolen his cattle.  When Apollo accused him of stealing the beautiful cattle, Mercury innocently denied any accusations.  The two brothers paid a visit to Jupiter, their third brother, to settle the dispute.  Mercury then proceeded to play his lyre.  Apollo was astonished by the beautiful sound and agreed to allow Mercury to keep his cattle for producing such a lovely sound.  This act pleased Mercury so greatly that he gave Apollo the lyre. In return for the gift of the wonderful lyre, Apollo gave Mercury a golden wand. 

Dana Lerro 

Apollo and Daphne

https://www.google.it/search?hl=en&site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1366&bih=651&q=apollo+and+daphne&oq=apollo+and+daphne&gs_l=img.3..0l10.61.2286.0.2364.17.12.0.5.5.0.153.1148.9j3.12.0....0...1ac.1.58.img..0.17.1223.yAEx7pZEUTk#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=beUiZjCXC511iM%253A%3Bp1Xm3SR-JodCcM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fupload.wikimedia.org%252Fwikipedia%252Fcommons%252Fd%252Fdf%252FApolloAndDaphne.JPG%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fen.wikipedia.org%252Fwiki%252FDaphne%3B2112%3B2816

Commissioned by: Italian Cardinal Scipione Borghese
Completed by: Gian Lorenzo Bernini (Italian artist and architect)
Material: Marble
Style: Baroque
Date: 1622-1625



The mythological episode behind this sculpture has to do with an event that took place between Apollo, god of Sun, and the nymph, Daphne. Apollo mocked Eros, god of love, for his use of a bow and arrow because Apollo believed he had no use for these tools since he does not participate in war. Eros became insulted and took out one arrow of gold, which incites loves, and one of lead, which insights hatred. He shot Daphne with the lead arrow and shot Apollo through the heart with the golden arrow. Apollo instantly fell in love with Daphne, but she despised him. Daphne turned away all of her lovers and preferred exploring the woods instead. Eventually, her father, Peneus (a river god), demanded that she get married, but she begged him not to.

            Apollo continued to chase after her and beg for her love, but Daphne continued to run. It became a race and Eros got involved and helped Apollo to gain on the nymph. Daphne realized she was about to be caught and called for her father, “"Help me, Peneus! Open the earth to enclose me, or change my form, which has brought me into this danger! Let me be free of this man from this moment forward!" Peneus answered her cry for help by casting an enchantment upon her which turned her skin to bark, her hair to leaves, and her arms to branches. In addition, she could no longer run because her feet became rooted to the ground. Apollo embraces the branches, but there is nothing left he can do. Apollo promised to tend to her as his tree and never let any beasts of the earth do harm to her. He promised that her leaves would decorate the heads of leaders as crowns along with weapons. Also, Apollo used his ability of eternal youth and immortality to make her green forever and ensure the laurel tree will never decay.

By: Kyle Lockard