Page:History of Art in Primitive Greece - Mycenian Art Vol 2.djvu/231

PRI.MITIVK GkKKCK : MvCliNIAN AkT. tion and consequent wealth induced the habit of draping the goddess. This may have arisen in part out of the natural and simple desire to adorn and deck out their beloved deity in all the hnery procurable at that period ; and in part because the nudity of the marble figures shocked their awakening sense of refinement, as savouring of rude and unlettered days. The changes of fashion may be traced on the skirts of these idols, their only article of dress. The next step was to entirely cover these clay figures, whose arms and legs disappear under their ample, trailing robes. The artificer did not trouble him- self to detach and model the limbs ; he concentrated all his efforts to marking with dashes of paint the brilliantly-hued stripes of the drapery. Now, simple vertical bands outline the bust, to re- appear more widely spaced below the waist, the latter being always indicated (Fig. 337) ; now horizontal bands surround the arm, and 3. polos rises behind, shaped somewhat after the fashion of a college cap (Fig. 338). Other arrangements and other patterns are seen elsewhere. Thus, a small figure from Bceotia presents