An Evening at the Portland Art Museum

Body Beautiful

  As I wandered the musty Portland Art Museum on a rainy January Friday, it struck me that classical statuary is a snapshot of ancient ideals. A slice into the B.C. mind. A psychological window to the past. 

 Me on my Outing

 The sampling of Roman copies of Greek originals appeared motivational..... idealistic..... celebratory.... egotistical..... controlled perfection. The almost over-carved marble figures clearly showed the ancient concept of an 'ideal man' - fit, vigorous, self-contained.

  In contrast, today's popular view is to be the best version of you, whatever that flavor may be. So what would a marble statue of your ideal look like? An athlete? A craftsman? A priestess? A mythic hero or demigod?

  Hmm...I might pick a sly nymph. Flirty and irreverent. ;)

Diskobolus

"It is a disgrace to grow old through sheer carelessness before seeing what manner 

of man you may become by developing your bodily strength and beauty to their highest limit."

 -Socrates

Nearly Naked Beauty

Ancient Zombie Boy?! ;)

Striking Stylized Helmet