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
Pausias also painted some large pictures, a Sacrifice of Oxen, for
instance, which used to be seen in the Portico of Pompeius. In this
painting he invented several improvements, which many artists have
since imitated, but none with the same success. Although in the picture
it was particularly his desire to give an impression of the length of
the ox, he painted it with a front view and not sideways, and still
has caused the large dimensions of the animal to be fully understood.
And then too, whereas all other painters colour in white such parts as
they wish to have the appearance of being prominent, and in black such
portions as are intended to remain in the back-ground, he has painted
the whole of the ox of a black colour, and has shown the dimensions of
the body which throws the shadow by the medium of the shadow itself;
thus evincing a wonderful degree of skill in showing relief upon a coat
painted with a single colour, and conveying an impression of uniform
solidity upon a broken ground.[2108] It was at Sicyon also that Pausias
passed his life, a city which for a long time continued to be the
native place of painting. Ultimately, all the paintings belonging to
that place were sold by public auction for the discharge of the debts
owing by the city, and were transferred to Rome in the ædileship of
Scaurus.[2109]
Next to him, in the hundred and fourth Olympiad, Euphranor,[2110]
the Isthmian, distinguished himself far beyond all others, an artist
who has been already mentioned in our account of the statuaries. He
executed some colossal figures also, and some statues in marble, and
he chased some drinking-vessels; being studious and laborious in the
highest degree, excellent in every branch, and at all times equal
to himself. This artist seems to have been the first to represent
heroes with becoming dignity, and to have paid particular attention to
symmetry. Still, however, in the generality of instances, he has made
the body slight in proportion to the head and limbs. He composed some
treatises also upon symmetry and colours. His works are, an Equestrian
Combat;[2111] the Twelve Gods; and a Theseus; with reference to which
he remarked that the Theseus of Parrhasius had been fed upon roses, but
his own upon beef.[2112] There are also at Ephesus some famous pictures
by him; an Ulysses, in his feigned madness, yoking together an ox and
a horse; Men, in an attitude of meditation, wearing the pallium;[2113]
and a Warrior, sheathing his sword.
At the same time, also, flourished Cydias;[2114] for whose picture of
the Argonautæ the orator Hortensius paid one hundred and forty-four
thousand sesterces, and had a shrine constructed expressly for its
reception on his estate at Tusculum.[2115] There was also Antidotus,
a pupil of Euphranor, by whom there is, at Athens, a Combatant armed
with a shield; a Wrestler, also; and a Trumpeter, a work which has been
considered a most exquisite production.
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