The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1877-06-19

while, supposing the story to be true,
the world of art will rejoice at the ree-
toration to near perfection Of this noble
creation of womanly beauty. Fl
In 1920, French midshipnnan named
YouLier, cruising Id the Hreoian Archi-
peligo, landed oniancientMelos, or Milo,
lor pleasure ramble. While on shore
he saw a peasant, digging for stones on
the site OF an old temple, unearth por-
tion OF marble statue Of q woman,
which, not suiting his purpose. he was
proceeding to cover up again; but YOU
tier, struck with it's exceeding beauty,
paid him literally to dig 1t up entire, and
had it conveyed secretly to his ship.
The arms were wanting, having
been broken off below the shoulder,
and the lett foot, or portion OF 1t, was
also gone. The latter fragment was re-
stored by a French artist, with consid-
cradle success. AS soon as the statue
was set up its marvellous beauty was
recognized by all beholders, and In 1854
it was purchased by the French Govern
ment for the Louvre, where 1t mas ever
since remained, except that When tne
Prussians approached Paris, during the
late war, fearful that it might be carried
away as prize of war, the Government
took it down from its pedestal, cased IL
in plaster, and buried it in secret
place. 1t has since been restored to It's
former position.
Before the discovery OF this statue,
the Venus by Cleomenes Of Athens,
winch Was eXnumed at the villa OF Ha-
drian. near Ilvoli, in the seventeenth
century, and is called the Venus de
Medici, was recognized as the most pei
lect type Of lemae grace. II is now i'll
the Tribune at Florence. The pre-
eminenee OF this ant que Is no longer
uuuIsputed. While all admit The
marvellous perfection Of tue Flor
| entne statue, the Venus of Milo is in
tue judgment of many, perhaps OF most,
the superior WORK OF art. BJ,h are Ia
miliar through photographs and repro
auctions i'll plaster anu bronze. TIe
lace of the little Italian Venus is not
strikingly beautiful, while that OF the
| Venus OF MILO is exquisite in It's nobl-
iLy and repose, and The whole figure has
me proportions aud beauty ota goddess,
compared to whom the other seems
far Iorm OF human weaknesses and pas
| sions.
Tue sculptor of the Venus OF Milo is
unknown. 1t has commonly been
thought TO be copy of work OF PraXl-
TILES. The absence OF the arms has
caused abundant conjecture respecting
Lne True meaning OIL me statue, ana, IN
| deed, there have been grave doubts as W
whether j. was lntenued as Il venus.
Wnen it was taken down to be buried IL
was discovered That the artist who SCI
II up had, i'll putting together the TWO
parts OF Lue lOrbo, gwen the up
per part an inclination forward
which was unnecessary, and when
! set up again it was maue
more e. ect. 4Ile true position oil the
arms has alWaVB Ueen VeXed question.
The position of the tigure suggested lhat
it had formed one ot a group, and Ny
many it has been thought Lnat the group
mIgnt have represented Venus aiming
Mars, The statement that one oil The
hands found hoIus shield is regarded
as parbly cUrroNora i've oil this opinion.
i ne hnd Will prove pecuulary ad-
vantage TO the makers Of CASTS and
bgonzes. The demand for new ones OF
the completed figure will be prompt ana
p ,oll able.