Jean-Leon Gerome's Pygmalion & Galatea
Pygmalion is a sculptor from Cyprus. He's a bit like contemporary guys who like dolls http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3710987618964917848&q=guys+and+dolls&ei=RE4pSMW4I4aIqgP3qeC5CQ.
He watches the Propoetides deny the divinity of Venus who then prostitute themselves. He is disgusted and gives up finding a mate. He concludes women are scandalous and so he decides to make one out of ivory. It is so perfect that he often mistakes it for a real woman. She is drop dead gorgeous. He gives gifts to her like seashells, smooth pebbles, tears of amber and flowers. He kisses her and again has flashes of her being real.
The Festival of Venus arrives in Cyprus. Heifers are sacrificed. Incense is in the air. After presenting his offering to Venus, Pygmalion prays to the gods thus: "You gods, all gifts are within your power. Grant me to wed a woman resembling my ivory maiden." Venus listens and she shows her approval by making the fire in the altar flare up three times.
Pygmalion rushes home and strokes the statue's breasts which gradually become soft and warm. He fondles her more passionately and feels a pulse. He kisses her and she blushes. Pygmalion ecstatically thanks Venus.
Nine Moons later, Pygmalion and his lover's daughter, Paphos, is born.
Note: I've just paraphrased Ovid's rendition of this story as found in Book X of the 2,000-year-old Metamorphoses. Other artists later name the ivory statue Galatea. One example is Jean-Leon Gerome who created the painting below in 1890.
