The historic gallery of portraits and paintings: and biographical review : containing a brief account of the lives of the moost celebrated men, in every age and country : and graphic imitations of the fines specimens of the arts, ancient and modern : with remarks, critical and explanatory (Band 6) (London: Vernor, Hood, and Sharpe, 1810)

SAPPHO AT LEUCAS.

GROS.
This picture, the composition of M. Gros, a disciple
of the celebrated David, experienced, during its exhi-
bition, the most flattering success. It is distinguished
for tastefulness of design, truth of expression, and faci-
lity of touch.
The passion of Sappho for Phaon, and her unfortunate
death, are too well known to need description. Incensed
at the coldness of her lover, she threw herself into the
sea, from the summit of Mount Leucas.
To the memory of this illustrious female, various sta-
tues were erected by the Greeks, none of which have
descended to our hands. She flourished about 600 B. C.
and excelled in lyric poetry. She was held in such esti-
mation by her countrymen, that they stamped her image
on their coin.
Although various fragments of her poems are extant,
nothing can exceed in beauty the following ode, trans-
lated by Philips.
Blest as th' immortal Gods is he,
The youth, who fondly sits by thee,
And hears and sees thee all the while,
Softly speak, and sweetly smile.