434 Reading-Course for Farmers' Wives. 



The following little anecdote told recently carries a great meaning : 



" Mary, come out, the violets are in bloom." 

 " No, I cannot, I am housecleaning." 

 " Dirt will keep, but violets won't.'! 

 She went. 



A PIECE OF GREEK SCULPTURE. 

 A Study in Gracefulness — By Charles DeGarmo. i 



To illustrate some of the principles of art and good taste as expressed 

 in pictures, a piece of statuary is now described. It is of no consequence 

 that any home should contain this particular picture, but the discussion 

 of it will teach a lesson that can be applied to other pictures. 



This statue is called Diana of Gabii in Latium. where it was found. 

 It is preserved in the Louvre at Paris. 



What makes this figure graceful ? It is slender and well poised. 

 The arms and hands are performing their wonted functions in a manner 

 easy and natural. All the fingers of the left hand are employed in holding 

 the lower end of the mantle, while only the thumb and first two fingers 

 of the right hand are used in grasping the brooch at the other. The 

 remaining fingers project in charming curves, ready to serve but not 

 now serving. The right foot supports the body, while the left is so placed 

 as to suggest either the easy preservation of equilibrium or a preparation 

 for advance. The head is delicately poised as if awaiting the sound of 

 the horn that shall announce the coming chase. For Diana is the goddess 

 of the hunt, the sister of Apollo of the flaming arrows. Her garments 

 hang in becoming folds, revealing here and there the well-rounded form, 

 and adding to the charm of its smooth curves by the long sweeping creases 

 and folds of the drapery. Gracefulness is the result of the perfect equipoise 

 of mind and body, when the mind is alert and forceful, yet not perturbed 

 or excited. The soul then fills the body with self-controlling energy, 

 while head, arms, hands, trunk and lower limbs fulfill with ease and 

 perfection every function assigned them by the ruling mind. 



A part of the gracefulness of this statue is found in the fact that 

 a moment is chosen when the purpose of the mind is suggested rather 

 than fulfilled. For the mantle is not yet fastened, though we are sure it 

 soon will be ; Diana is not walking, but she is ready to walk ; she is noi 

 speaking but may at any instant break the silence. In short, one has the 

 feeling that the whole body is pervaded and controlled by the mind and 

 is ready at each instant to do its bidding. 



It was Lessing who pointed out that the nature of solid material 

 compels the artist to suggest action rather than attempt to pc^rtray it. 



