The eventful sleep of Ariadne on the Island of Naxos, during which
Theseus deserted her, is here represented. It is an unquiet sleep
as denoted by the attitude and the disorder of the beautiful but
complicated drapery. The uneven surface, upon which the body reclines,
causes it to be slightly drawn together, and adds to the idea of
unrest. The gentle droop of the head, the relaxed, curving arms,
and the languid air of sleep make the figure extremely graceful and
feminine, though almost colossal in size.
The statue has been in the Louvre since the time of Pope Julius II.
[Illustration]
Ariadne.
“_The daughter of a king, how should I know
That there were tinsels wearing face of gold,
And worthless glass, which in the sunlight’s hold
Could shameless answer back my diamond’s glow
With cheat of kindred fire? The current slow
And deep and strong and stainless, which has rolled
Through royal veins for ages, what had told
To them that hasty heat and lie could show
As quick and warm and red as theirs? Go free!
The sun is breaking on the sea’s blue shield
Its golden lances: by their gleams I see
Thy ship’s white sails. Go free if scorn can yield
Thee freedom! Then alone, my love and I,--
We both are royal: we know how to die._”
--HELEN HUNT.