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- Title
THE LEGEND OF KNIDIA TODAY.
- Authors
BAŽANT, JAN
- Abstract
This paper analyses the story about a young lover who left the semen mark on the marble statue of Knidia by Praxiteles. The findings are threefold. First, we show that the literal interpretation of this ancient story began in the seventies of the 20th century, in connection with a feminist re-evaluation of Western cultural tradition. Second, we argue that the ancient story cannot be taken at face value. The story of Knidia's lover does not provide information either about the appearance and staging of this marble statue, or the way in which actual visitors behaved in its sanctuary at Knidos. Third, we stress that any interpretation of the Tale of Stain must take into account that its original audience was aware that it was a work of art with tremendous sacred power.
- Subjects
PRAXITELES, 4th century B.C.; PRAXITELES, 4th century B.C. Aphrodite of Cnidus; STATUES; ANCIENT sculpture; GREEK art
- Publication
Eirene, 2017, Vol 53, Issue 1/2, p77
- ISSN
0046-1628
- Publication type
Article