Page:History of Art in Primitive Greece - Mycenian Art Vol 2.djvu/289

 236 Primitive Greece : Mycenian Art. a wild state. This, however, may be the result of clumsiness of hand rather than a deliberate intention based upon a just observa- tion of nature. The heads leave much to be desired ; that of the left bull is deficient in mass ; but for the body to which it is joined, we should think it a ram's rather than a bull's head ; whilst that of the fellow next to him is utterly void of expression. The points and shades we have pointed out cannot be all detected either in M. GilH^ron's or Defrasse's drawing ; and it is doubtful whether they can ever be rendered by any reproduction, how- ever carefully and intelligently made. To obtain as true an image as possible of these vases, it were perhaps necessary to employ a separate process for each. The first cup should be drawn with a soft pencil, so as to get a somewhat broad out- line, in such a way as to show the transition which is effected between the plain surface of the background and the relief of the figures. The passage from the unwrought to the wrought surface is produced, on the second cup, by a resault at acute angles, and the inner markings of the figures are more deeply incised. Here a hard pencil cut to a point should be employed to render the peculiar arrangement of the planes and precision of line. With this process, however, differences might easily become forced and exaggerated ; although the amateur who stands a few minutes in front of the glass-case in which the vases are deposited is not likely to single them out, at any rate at first sight. In order to differentiate between them, one must needs hold the pieces in one's hand and look long and narrowly at them, as I did in May 1890.^ The impression gained from the drawing was confirmed by minute study of the originals in the Museum at Athens. From the outset my preference was given to the first vase. The greater brilliancy of invention and richer variety of incident attracted me ; I fell under the spell of the unwonted fire and movement portrayed with so remarkable a boldness in the hunting-scene. The peaceful attitudes of the pasturing ^ Before describing them, I should much have liked to see again the vases in question. My notes, taken three years before, did not satisfy me at all points. At my request, M. Ridder, one of my young friends at the French School at Athens, examined the vases, and was good enough to forward the result of his observations. They testify to his fine taste, and I have not hesitated to make a liberal use of them.