St. John’s
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A Poem we Learned at School
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Something for The Weekend
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A Facelift
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From the Inbox
Mary,
I have looked at the statue of John B. In Main Street, Listowel many times over the years. I marvel at the skill of the sculptor in portraying John as he will always be, in my mind’s eye; his arms waving in a joyous welcome to Listowel and a delighted smile on his face at meeting you.
In his youth John was a Greek scholar in St Michael’s College, Listowel, so I think it appropriate to show here a conversation between Socrates and the Athenian sculptor, Crito; written by Xenophon, a student of Socrates and a name very familiar to any Greek scholar.
“Socrates, in conversation with the statuary Clito, showeth his skill and good taste in the Finer Arts.
Talking with Clito, the sculptor, Socrates said to him, “I wonder not that you make so great a difference between the statue of a man who is running a race and that of one who stands his ground to wait for his antagonist with whom he is to wrestle, or to box, or to play a prize at all sorts of defence; but what ravishes the beholders is, that your statues seem to be alive. I would fain know by what art you imprint upon them this wonderful vivacity?” Clito, surprised at this question, stood considering what to answer, when Socrates went on: –“Perhaps you take great care to make them resemble the living persons, and this is the reason that they seem to live likewise.” “It is so,” said Clito. “You must then,” replied Socrates, “observe very exactly in the different postures of the body what are the natural dispositions of all the parts, for when some of them stoop down, the others raise themselves up; when some are contracted, the others stretch themselves out; when some are stiff with straining, others relax themselves; and when you imitate all this, you make your statues approach very near life.” “You say true,” said Clito. “is it not true likewise,” replied Socrates, “that it is a great satisfaction to beholders to see all the passions of a man who is in action well expressed? Thus, in the statue of a gladiator who is fighting, you must imitate the sternness of look with which he threatens his enemy; on the contrary, you must give him, when victor, a look of gaiety and content.” “There is no doubt of what you say.” “We may then conclude,” said Socrates, “that it is the part of an excellent statuary to express the various affections and passions of the soul, by representing such-and-such motions and postures of the body as are commonly exerted in real life whenever the mind is so-and-so affected.”
The Memorable Thoughts of Socrates, Xenophon 431 BC -350? BC”
Appropriate prior thoughts for the Sculptor of our Greek scholar.
For those of us who knew John B. in real life it would be an enjoyable exercise for us to reflect on Socrates words; standing in front of the statue in Main St Listowel.
Thanks
Billy McSweeney
My recent visitors at the statue in question
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A Fact
You are 14% more likely to die on your birthday than on any other day.
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