The Natural History of Pliny, Volume 6 (of 6)Pliny, the Elder
History
The Natural History of Pliny, Volume 6 (of 6)
Pliny, the Elder
Natural history -- Pre-Linnean works
characteristic of his work, is the finish and minuteness which are
observed in even the smallest details. Lysippus left three sons, who
were also his pupils, and became celebrated as artists, Laippus, Bœdas,
and, more particularly, Euthycrates; though this last-named artist
rivalled his father in precision rather than in elegance, and preferred
scrupulous correctness to gracefulness. Nothing can be more expressive
than his Hercules at Delphi, his Alexander, his Hunter at Thespiæ, and
his Equestrian Combat. Equally good, too, are his statue of Trophonius,
erected in the oracular cave[1444] of that divinity, his numerous
chariots, his Horse with the Panniers,[1445] and his hounds.
Tisicrates, also a native of Sicyon, was a pupil of Euthycrates, but
more nearly approaching the style of Lysippus; so much so, that several
of his statues can scarcely be distinguished from those of Lysippus;
his aged Theban, for example, his King Demetrius, and his Peucestes,
who saved the life of Alexander the Great, and so rendered himself
deserving of this honour.[1446]
Artists, who have transmitted these details in their works, bestow
wonderful encomiums upon Telephanes, the Phocæan, a statuary but little
known, they say, because he lived in Thessaly, where his works remained
concealed; according to their account, however, he is quite equal to
Polycletus, Myron, and Pythagoras. They more particularly commend his
Larissa, his Spintharus, the pentathlete,[1447] and his Apollo. Others,
however, assign another reason for his being so little known; it
being owing, they think, to his having devoted himself to the studios
established by Kings Xerxes and Darius.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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