THE TRANSFORMATION OF HERMAPHRODITE
This piece abstractly characterizes the transformation of the god Hermaphrodite (the fusion of his body with that of the nymph Salmacis) and mischievous Eros, who, taking advantage of this most ecstatic moment, welcomes the divine bi-unity with a fascinating lesson on the consummation of “their” love. The sculpture relates the captivating saga as follows: Hermaphrodite sleepwalks, hypnotized by the beauty of Lake Salmacis (left). He undresses and walks into the water. The nymph, seeing him naked in her domain and at her mercy, clasps him tightly to her bosom and prays to the gods that their bodies never be separated. Next, the astonishing transformation takes place: the god and the nymph, naked, in the hottest embrace, fuse together to become an exquisite androgynous beauty. Genitals and breast arouse and swell, their heads, stupefied with ecstasy, look toward heaven to thank the gods for having granted this miracle. Without delay incestuous Eros soars quickly to the scene to abduct the dual divinity (center) whom he carries to his nest to wound passionately with his great arrow and get a ravenous bite of the god's fresh, ripened apple (right). Hermaphrodite lets depraved Eros pierce him over and over, and they devour each other ever after (right).
|
