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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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.”

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

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

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

10. questions?