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In his ceramics and wood shop in Russia, the great photographer
Goncharov watches as his models prance about, playing with his artistic
tools. Contemplating their beauty, he begins to realize what it
is that is so captivating about them. In their fine physiques they
typify the three qualities held most dear by the great artists of
antiquity - Resplendence, Proportion, and Graciousness.
Resplendence was a quality important to the ancient artists, and
it meant that they could see the spirit shining through the form.
When a figure displays resplendence, it literally glows with a certain
kind of celestial light, imbuing the shape with light and openness.
The models in this series definitely display resplendence. There
is a brilliance to their glowing bodies that catches the eye and
startles the heart.
Proportion referred to the dimensions and relations necessary to
produce physical excellence. Of course, the ancients believed that
reality was a mere manifestation of a higher form, existing, as
it did, in the world of ideals. Therefore, proportion meant a certain
relationship between the real body and the ideal body. And the models
in this series typify this relationship. Their curves, their lines,
their contours are all ideal, forming, as they do, ultimate images
of feminine beauty.
Finally, Graciousness had as much to do with the way the figure
looked as with how it “carried itself.” In other words,
Graciousness was tied in with movement. It also referred to the
subtle and generous way in which the figure offered itself to the
eyes. There could be nothing abrupt, jarring, or out of sync. All
had to fall in place, and with the models in this series, all does
fall in place. Perfectly.
As Goncharov sat there looking at his models, these were his thoughts.
He realized how perfectly they typified that ancient sense of aesthetic
excellence. Their beauty was truly unearthly, beyond time, as innocent
as nature herself. And what did the master do in response to such
perfection? What else, but get his camera?
Join Met-Art to see dozens more revealing images from this series.
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