The imagination of the Greeks peopled the woods and waters with all
sorts of mythical beings, among which one of the most delightful was the
faun. This was a creature half human, half animal, which frolicked in
the woods in spring time. In outward appearance it looked much like a
human being, except that it had pointed furry ears. In nature, however,
it was closely akin to the animals, and lived a free happy life, with
none of the thoughts and cares which beset the soul of man.
Our statue represents a sculptor's conception of this sportive being. It
is famous not only because it is a celebrated work of art, but because
it takes an important place in a celebrated novel. This is the "marble
faun" which gives the title to Hawthorne's book. It will be remembered
that in the beginning of the story, a party of friends are visiting the
museum of the Capitol in Rome, where the statue stands. Suddenly they
notice the resemblance which one of their number, a young Italian named
Donatello, bears to the statue. They bid him take the same attitude, and
the likeness is complete. The writer describes the statue in these
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,[19] 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.[20] 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. The
whole statue--unlike anything else that ever was wrought in that severe
material of marble--conveys the idea of an amiable and sensual creature,
easy, mirthful, apt for jollity, yet not incapable of being touched by
pathos. It is impossible to gaze long at this stone image without
conceiving a kindly sentiment towards it, as if its substance were warm
to the touch, and imbued with actual life. It comes very close to some
of our pleasantest sympathies."
[19] More likely a leopard's skin.
[20] Compare, for instance, the slender figure of the Apoxyomenos.
[Illustration: Alinari, Photo. John Andrew & Son, Sc.