New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-09-24
THE WOUNDED VENUS.
A HEAPOLITAN LEGEND.

Roman HE, WnlCQ means winter OF 0Olem
memories, imposing pageants, and sigh,
ing associations - strain the utmost G.
pacity Of man to understand and appreciate
So had run down to Naples for rest an
relief, and had lOunged away the time o.
the balcony Of my little apartment in tn
Santa Lucia" without the slightest desir
to enter picture gallery, or see even tn
outside of church. There would sit 70
hours watching the idlers on the beach, tn
boats coming in and going out, manned b,
men in very brilliant head coverings an;
little or no clothing to speak of, the children
running to and fro, the women sellers O
fruit and chestnuts talking and gesticulatins
in the most animated manner. the cobblej
on his bench, the tailor on his stool. anl
over all the soft blue sky and changing
hues which play around this enchanting re
giOn. And now, after six weeks of itliing
airs and violet skies, and l longed with q
mighty longing for a stern and rock bound
shore, with the sea striking it like angry
blows, and not with long drawn-Out and
perpetually repeated caress.
So summoned Antonio my faithful valet
and guide, whose life, since we had been
in Naples, seemed to have been spent in
touching his hat to the passers-by and in
chucking pretty fruit sellers under the
chin, and demanded in an impatient tone
when could get away.
"AwayV repeated Antonio, opening wide
his sleepy eyes, "Why, the Padrone has not
yet seen Pompeii, nor made the ascent of
vesuvius, nor visited the Palazzo di Regii
Studii. Surely the Padrone would not
think Of leaving without seeing all these
places"
well, Antonio, let us begin at once
then" I said, this very hour: for in three
days l start for Norway, or Russia, or
fact, where can feel more like man and
less like limp rag than do here"
"Ebbene Signore," replied Antonio: I'VE
80 then to-day to the Palazzo-ruol dire
the Museum; to morrow to Vesuvius; then
then to Pompeii."
So to the museum We went, and spent the
remainder of the day wandering listlessly
through mazos of pictures and statues. a
wilderness of vases, and endless spoils and
relics of Pompeii and Herculaneum, all in
teresting enough in themselves, but utterly
powerlees to rouse . spark of enthusiasm
in my jaded spirit.
At last, wearied to death with favns and
nymphs, centaurs and bacchantes, dropped
down on seat in the gallery of Flora, and
declared that would 20 no further
But the signore has not yet seen the
Venus, the wounded Venus of Lorenzo
d CrbinO," demonstrated Antonio. 1T is
only in the next room, signOre and as there
are NO visitors, I will tell the Padrone the
story while he gazes upon it's lovelness."
satiated child, by the promise of I, story, l |
followed Antonio into a small room adjoin- |
ing the main gallery, where the central
fgure OF what some one calls a little Con-
gress of Venuses, hung a life-size painting
of the parting of Venus and Adonis. The
figure Of Adonis and the adjuncts and sur.
roundlngs OF the picture were marked by
no special skill or talent, but the figure Of
Venus was the most perfect type of female
loneliness that my eye had ever rested on.
She stands with one hand gathering up the
light drapery which wells without conceal
ing the equisite outline of her limbs. and
the other resting caressingly on the head Of
Adonis, who is kneeling at her feet In
every line and curve Of the figure is the
perfection Of grace. And the face. around
which clusters halo of golden curls, COM
bines the pure delicate outline of the an
!iaue with the inspired loneliness Of
Madonna Of st. John.
l turned inquiringly to Antonio: .'Why
have never heard Of this before 7" l said.
1t is Of the most unearthly beauty
But the signOre is tired Of the beautiful"
'eplied Antonio, with q hooking smile.
The signore wishes only for the hard, the
he psdrone the story, the legend Of this
Vonded VenusW
Eyes, Antonio; tell me now-at once" I
aid, my eyes nveted on the wonderful face,
whose eyes seemed to read my very soul, |
Why is it called the wounded Venus7"
The padrOne will observe here on the 1
eft side, J" replied Antonio, "a sh adow like a ,
!eep stain, it might be of blood, and lower
lown two little drops on the white crapery. I
a if fhQT had frick1od from, Tho | =
ide." !
looked at the spot indicated by Antonio's c
tick, but it required a greater stretch of =
IMAGINATION than was capable of at that
noment to see blood in the dark shadow, q
men looked, to my experienced eyes, h
1ore like blemish in the canvas very v
'yely Venus. 4,
l refrained from dampening Antonio's en-. h
nusiasm by expressing my opinion, how. Il
yer, and having seated myself where I 81
Ould pest drink in the light Of the wondrous b
yes; l motioned Antonio to proceed.
me story goes, SignOr, replied the valet. "
smovlng his wide sOmbrerO and standing oil
. = enoughtiul attitude before the picture
mo. loved young and very beautiful W
eapOl!tan named Lucia Buonarotti. T.uc;a az
as 30 beautiful that all the artists in fol- ~
me to see and to paint her; but Lucia was
SURPRISING modesty, and though they o.
Tered her thousand scudi a day. would he
,ver be tempted to sit a model To- anv of ~ ~
EN-. So they gazed at her only from ! -,
stance, and were almost consumed with ~
&c and envy that they were not permitted as
transfer her charms to their canyas 81
esven had been very bountiful to Lucia: +;
lad given her, in addition to her wonder. "
beauty, the voice of m archangel. She to
IS pupil Of the Consorvatorio, and the
maestro would often pat her on the tn