DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.18732#0213
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leave In the mind. After they have examined, with
due attention, the moft magnificent and beft pre-
ferved remains of ancient architecture,, very few
nave fatisfaction in viewing a parce] of old bricks,
which, they are told, formed the foundation of the
baths of fome of the Emperors. And there are not
many who would regret their not having feen great
numbers of ftatues and pictures of inferior merit,,
when they had beheld all that are univerfally
efteemed the beft. Would it not be highly judi-
cious, therefore, in the greateft number of travellers,,,
without abridging the ufual time of the courfe, to
make it much lefs comprehenfive ?
" Among the antiques of the Pinciana is a
Centaur, with a Cupid on his back. The
latter has the ceftus of Venus, and the ivy crown of
Bacchus, in allufion to beauty and wine; he beats
the Centaur with his fill, and feems to kick with
violence to drive him along. The Centaur throws
back his head and eyes with a look of remorfe, as if
he were unwilling, though forced, to proceed. The
execution-of this group is admired by thofe who
look upon it merely as zjeu d'efprit i but it acquires
additional merit, when confidered as allegorical of
men who are hurried on by the violence of their
paffions, and lament their own weaknefs, while they
find themfelves unable to refift.
" There is another figure which claims atten-
tion, more on account of the allegory than the
fculpture. This is a fmall ftatue of Venus Cloa-
cina, -trampling on an impregnated uterus, and
tearing the wings of Cupid. The allegory indi-
cates,
leave In the mind. After they have examined, with
due attention, the moft magnificent and beft pre-
ferved remains of ancient architecture,, very few
nave fatisfaction in viewing a parce] of old bricks,
which, they are told, formed the foundation of the
baths of fome of the Emperors. And there are not
many who would regret their not having feen great
numbers of ftatues and pictures of inferior merit,,
when they had beheld all that are univerfally
efteemed the beft. Would it not be highly judi-
cious, therefore, in the greateft number of travellers,,,
without abridging the ufual time of the courfe, to
make it much lefs comprehenfive ?
" Among the antiques of the Pinciana is a
Centaur, with a Cupid on his back. The
latter has the ceftus of Venus, and the ivy crown of
Bacchus, in allufion to beauty and wine; he beats
the Centaur with his fill, and feems to kick with
violence to drive him along. The Centaur throws
back his head and eyes with a look of remorfe, as if
he were unwilling, though forced, to proceed. The
execution-of this group is admired by thofe who
look upon it merely as zjeu d'efprit i but it acquires
additional merit, when confidered as allegorical of
men who are hurried on by the violence of their
paffions, and lament their own weaknefs, while they
find themfelves unable to refift.
" There is another figure which claims atten-
tion, more on account of the allegory than the
fculpture. This is a fmall ftatue of Venus Cloa-
cina, -trampling on an impregnated uterus, and
tearing the wings of Cupid. The allegory indi-
cates,