Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-06-27

/ n most famous art treasures
the Fanciulla D'Anzio, was the
gift of the Roman municipality tc
President Wilson during his recent
visit to Rome. Artists and arch
aeologists regard the original of this
model as one of the most important
additions to the world of art made
IN recent times. That work oi
Grecian art done in the Third OF
Fourth Century should come to light
within the last nifty years is Won
derful in itself. Still more wonder
full, it is unique of its kind; no other
piece of art has been developed eX-
actly as this one has been.
But that is not the subject that
has been discussed most among the
artists to any great degree. After
agreeing that the statute is one oi
matchless beauty, agreeing that il
equals if not surpasses PraXiteles
work in grace and beauty. the ques-
ton arises among the critics, lis
this the figure of girl or a boy -
and the discussion is still on. Maid
of AnZio" the statute was innocent
ly christened some forty years ago
when the discussion ran high as to
whether she was sibyl, a poe,ess
or d priestess.
First, the finding of the statue is
in itself a story of unusual interest
For it was found in the ruins of the
little village of Anzio, where in the
time of Pope Julius the masterpiece
of Grecian art, Apollo Belvidere, was
found. In later years the Gladiator
was found there. Extraordinary
ruins these for the little city which
tradition says was founded by An
tlas, son of Ulysses and Circe. AL
ways champion OF liberty, the city
was an open enemy OF Rome during
the Republic and was not pacified
until the time of the Emperors, when
1t became resort for large colonies
of Romans during the summer
months. CaliSula was born there
August 81, II y. D., and Nero De-
cember 10, 81 A. ID. The latter re-
turned to his native village to build
the most splendid villa of ancient
times, overlooking the sea at Anzio.
In the ruins of this Neronian villa
this Incompatible piece of sculpture
came to light most unexpectedly.
Uncovered by Storm
The day following Christmas, 1878,
the wind rose and "a great storm sent
the waves dashing against the ruins
of the imperial villa. The storm car
ried away quantities of the sand and
stones during the night The next
morning when the sun rose it show
ed to the astonished inhabitants OF
the village the walls of a large hall,
and in niche standing upright
was the statue, since called the Maid
of Anzio, in an almost unbelievable
- a q Of -
from all over the world went to pay
their praises and declare it to be q
wonderful example of Greek art,
probably done in the Third OF
Fourth Century. The name of the
sculptor is unknown. The Italian
government purchased it from the
Prince of Sarsina, on whose estate i;
was found, for 100000 lire nearly
100000, and PLACED in the Mueso
del Terme at Rome.
The statute. in Greek marble
white and slightly transparent. is
nearly five and half feet high. made
from two pieces of marble, one in
Guiding the head and right shoulder
the other the body from the upper
part of the shoulder drapery TO the
feet. The youthful figure - one
hesitates to say boy or girls hold
ing tray on the left forearm. the
head is inclined forward. fixing tho
gaze on the objects on the .ray-a
wreath of laurel, the paw of a wild
animal, and roll which is supposed
TO be a rolled sacrificial band. These
nave figured prominently in the dis
cussion of the sex of the figure. as
!, they determine largely the office that
the figure may have filled in the day
OF worshipful professions.
The drapery, the champions of the
maiden say, proclaims her sex. as
she wears both the chiffon and the
mantle, but the supposition SAYS this
proves nothing at all. They ask.
Does the consummate beauty of
line and graceful drapery identify
her as woman? Is there moi
greater resem blance to Apollo than
to Nenus?" The heavy shoulders
and the well developed muscles OF
the arm should belong to a boy
rather than girl. The fullness OF
the chest is attributed to the way
in which the drapery is caught up
and not to the fullness of the figure.
And the head-here both sides
profess to score-is clearly defined
as TO youthful lines. The rather long
hair is parted at the center of the