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
Heraclides, too, of Macedon, had some repute as an artist. At first
he was a painter of ships, but afterwards, on the capture of King
Perseus, he removed to Athens; where at the same period was also
Metrodorus,[2129] who was both a painter and a philosopher, and of
considerable celebrity in both branches. Hence it was, that when L.
Paulus Æmilius, after the conquest of Perseus,[2130] requested the
Athenians to send him the most esteemed philosopher for the education
of his children, and a painter to represent his triumph, they made
choice of Metrodorus, declaring that he was eminently suited for either
purpose; a thing which Paulus admitted to be the case.
Timomachus of Byzantium, in the time of the Dictator Cæsar, painted an
Ajax[2131] and a Medea, which were placed by Cæsar in the Temple of
Venus Genetrix, having been purchased at the price of eighty talents;
the value of the Attic talent being, according to M. Varro, equivalent
to six thousand denarii. An Orestes, also by Timomachus, an Iphigenia
in Tauris, and a Lecythion, a teacher of gymnastics, are equally
praised; a Noble Family also; and Two Men clothed in the pallium,[2132]
and about to enter into conversation, the one standing, the other in
a sitting posture. It is in his picture, however of the Gorgon,[2133]
that the art appears to have favoured him most highly.
Aristolaüs, the son and pupil of Pausias, was one of the painters in
a more severe style: there are by him an Epaminondas, a Pericles, a
Medea, a Theseus, an emblematical picture of the Athenian People,
and a Sacrifice of Oxen. Some persons, too, are pleased with the
careful style of Nicophanes,[2134] who was also a pupil of Pausias; a
carefulness, however, which only artists can appreciate, as in other
respects he was harsh in his colours, and too lavish of sil;[2135]
as in his picture, for example, of Æsculapius with his daughters,
Hygia,[2136] Ægle, and Panacea, his Jason, and his Sluggard, known as
the “Ocnos,”[2137] a man twisting a rope at one end as an ass gnaws it
at the other. As to Socrates,[2138] his pictures are, with good reason,
universally esteemed.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account