[The Marble Faun<br> Volume I. by Nathaniel Hawthorne]@TWC D-Link book
The Marble Faun
Volume I.

CHAPTER I
5/9

"There is one point, however, or, rather, two points, in respect to which our friend Donatello's abundant curls will not permit us to say whether the likeness is carried into minute detail." And the sculptor directed the attention of the party to the ears of the beautiful statue which they were contemplating.
But we must do more than merely refer to this exquisite work of art; it must be described, however inadequate may be the effort to express its magic peculiarity in words.
The Faun is the marble image of a young man, leaning his right arm on the trunk or stump of a tree; one hand hangs carelessly by his side; in the other he holds the fragment of a pipe, or some such sylvan instrument of music.

His only garment--a lion's skin, with the claws upon his shoulder--falls halfway down his back, leaving the limbs and entire front of the figure nude.

The form, thus displayed, is marvellously graceful, but has a fuller and more rounded outline, more flesh, and less of heroic muscle, than the old sculptors were wont to assign to their types of masculine beauty.

The character of the face corresponds with the figure; it is most agreeable in outline and feature, but rounded and somewhat voluptuously developed, especially about the throat and chin; the nose is almost straight, but very slightly curves inward, thereby acquiring an indescribable charm of geniality and humor.

The mouth, with its full yet delicate lips, seems so nearly to smile outright, that it calls forth a responsive smile.


<<Back  Index  Next>>

D-Link book Top

TWC mobile books