Upon. So his Aphrodite will
not condescend to be pretty. 188. Secondly. In the Greek Venus
the breasts are broad and full, though
perfectly severe in
their almost conical profile;--(you are allowed on purpose to see the
outline of the right breast, under the
chiton;)--also the right arm is left bare, and you can just see the
contour
of the front of the right limb and knee; both arm and limb pure and
firm,
but lovely. The plant she holds in her hand is a branching and flowering
one, the seed-vessel prominent. These signs all mean that her essential
function
is child-bearing. On the contrary, in the Italian Venus the breasts are
so small as to be scarcely traceable; the body strong, and almost
masculine in its angles; the arms meager and unattractive, and she lays
a decorative garland
of flowers on the earth. These signs mean that the Italian thought of
love as the strength of an eternal spirit, forever helpful; and forever
crowned with flowers, that neither know seedtime nor harvest; and bloom
where there is neither death nor birth. 189. Thirdly. The Greek
Aphrodite is entirely calm, and looks straight forward. Not one feature
of her face is disturbed, or
seems ever to have been subject to emotion. The Italian Aphrodite looks
up, her face all quivering and burning with passion and wasting anxiety.
The Greek one is quiet, self-possessed, and self-
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