DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.5009#0205
MYTHOLOGY OF SCULPTURE.
185
over, of the figures which were called satyrs m the genuine language
of Greek poetry and art, from which the Roman poets first ventured
to depart who identified them with the Roman fauni, who are
described as half men, half goats, and with horns. Sometimes, how-
ever, tho satyrs rise into very noble, slender shapes, which are
scarcely betrayed by anything but the pointed ears. Wmkelman
says, "The most beautiful statues of fauns present to us an image ot
ripe beautiful youth, in perfect proportion. Several statues of young
satyrs and fauns, resembling each other in attitude and feature,
have been found in Rome, the original of which, it is possible, was
the celebrated satyr of Praxiteles, which was regarded by the artist
himself as bis best work."
The more decided satyrs' forms may be classified as follows : 1.
The gracefully reclining flute-players, with indolence, and a slight
dash of petulance, but without rudeness in the expression. 2. ihe
sturdy and joyous figure of the cymbalists. 3. Dancers. 4. Ihe
wild enthusiastic, inspired by Bacchus. 5. Slender and powerfully-
built hunters. G. Satyrs lying at ease, often with pretension to tho
completion of some great work. 7. Sleepers stretched out oomtort-
ably, also in a coarse and indecent manner, exhaling the perfumes ot
wine. 8. Lascivious satyrs, drawing the garments from the persons
of Bacchantes and Hermaphrodites, and struggling with them. ^ 9.
Satyrs occupied with the processes of preparing wine in the earliest
and sinxplest manner, and exhibiting their rude efforts with a sort of
pride. 10. Carousing figures pouring out wine for themselves. 11. The
combatants of the Tyrrhenians, amid whose wildness there gleams
through, neverth sless, an insolent joviality. Earlier antiquity formed
satyrs more as bugbears and caricatures; the more tender and
youthful forms, in which there is combined with the satyric
chai'acter an exceedingly graceful figure and an amiable roguishness,
first made their appearance in the later Attic school. Flaxman thus
characterizes them : " Tho fauns are youthful, sprightly, and
tendonous, their faces round, expressive of merriment, not without
an occasional mixture of mischief."
Statues :—
The satyr or faun, Capitol, Vatican; ancient copies of the
Satyr of Praxiteles,
The Barbermi Faun, Munich.
The Faun, in rosso antico, Capitol.
Eondanini Faun, British Museum.
Drunken Faun, Vatican.
The Dancing Faun, Florentine Gallery.
Young Faun playing the pipe, Louvre.
185
over, of the figures which were called satyrs m the genuine language
of Greek poetry and art, from which the Roman poets first ventured
to depart who identified them with the Roman fauni, who are
described as half men, half goats, and with horns. Sometimes, how-
ever, tho satyrs rise into very noble, slender shapes, which are
scarcely betrayed by anything but the pointed ears. Wmkelman
says, "The most beautiful statues of fauns present to us an image ot
ripe beautiful youth, in perfect proportion. Several statues of young
satyrs and fauns, resembling each other in attitude and feature,
have been found in Rome, the original of which, it is possible, was
the celebrated satyr of Praxiteles, which was regarded by the artist
himself as bis best work."
The more decided satyrs' forms may be classified as follows : 1.
The gracefully reclining flute-players, with indolence, and a slight
dash of petulance, but without rudeness in the expression. 2. ihe
sturdy and joyous figure of the cymbalists. 3. Dancers. 4. Ihe
wild enthusiastic, inspired by Bacchus. 5. Slender and powerfully-
built hunters. G. Satyrs lying at ease, often with pretension to tho
completion of some great work. 7. Sleepers stretched out oomtort-
ably, also in a coarse and indecent manner, exhaling the perfumes ot
wine. 8. Lascivious satyrs, drawing the garments from the persons
of Bacchantes and Hermaphrodites, and struggling with them. ^ 9.
Satyrs occupied with the processes of preparing wine in the earliest
and sinxplest manner, and exhibiting their rude efforts with a sort of
pride. 10. Carousing figures pouring out wine for themselves. 11. The
combatants of the Tyrrhenians, amid whose wildness there gleams
through, neverth sless, an insolent joviality. Earlier antiquity formed
satyrs more as bugbears and caricatures; the more tender and
youthful forms, in which there is combined with the satyric
chai'acter an exceedingly graceful figure and an amiable roguishness,
first made their appearance in the later Attic school. Flaxman thus
characterizes them : " Tho fauns are youthful, sprightly, and
tendonous, their faces round, expressive of merriment, not without
an occasional mixture of mischief."
Statues :—
The satyr or faun, Capitol, Vatican; ancient copies of the
Satyr of Praxiteles,
The Barbermi Faun, Munich.
The Faun, in rosso antico, Capitol.
Eondanini Faun, British Museum.
Drunken Faun, Vatican.
The Dancing Faun, Florentine Gallery.
Young Faun playing the pipe, Louvre.