How It’s Made: the Perfect Woman The story of Pygmalion and Galatea

Pygmalion was a young sculptor of the island Cyprus Pygmalion and Galatea Pygmalion was a young sculptor of the island Cyprus Pyg was a pig (Misogynist) Decided to make statue of perfect woman He had resolved never to marry Told himself his art was enough for him

Pygmalion and Galatea Wanted to show men they were settling Worked diligently until he carved a woman with none of the faults he detested in real women

The statue was exquisite - no real woman could rival its perfection Pygmalion and Galatea The statue was exquisite - no real woman could rival its perfection It was so realistic it appeared to be made of living human flesh, not stone Like a human motionless for only a moment “Supreme achievement of art was his, the art of concealing art.”

And (un)dressed her in rich robes Pygmalion and Galatea Even though he knew she was a statue he could not help but treat her like a person He kissed her …and “caressed” her And (un)dressed her in rich robes He was desperately unhappy Tried to pretend as children do with toys, tucked her in at night Imagined her happiness at the clothing he dressed her in and the gifts he gave her BUT he was not a child, could not pretend forever

Attended the feast of Venus Pygmalion and Galatea Attended the feast of Venus Venus had been interested in his predicament Showed him a good omen in response to his prayer Cyprus was the island which first received Venus after she rose from the foam - so her feast was exceptional there Snow white cows w gilded horns offered to her, incense, temples were crowded Venus favored his prayer - the flame on the altar leapt up 3 times

Pyg went home to his statue Touched her and felt warmth Pygmalion and Galatea Pyg went home to his statue Touched her and felt warmth Kissed her and she turned soft, with skin and a pulse Pyg knew that Venus had helped him She melted like wax in the sun

Pygmalion and Galatea Pyg named her Galatea and they married Venus was present at their wedding Had a son - Paphos

Pygmalion and Galatea in Pop Culture Pinocchio My Fair Lady She’s All That Pretty Woman Mannequin Weird Science

questions?