Ekphrasis - Graceful Ferocity

The first aspects the eyes focus on are pastel colors as they jump out from the dark pigments of the forest. The vessels that hold these light shades are various women. While these women are dispersed all their attention remains on a single object: the prey. Moving from left to right the women illustrate various facial expressions, ranging from wonder to joy to curiosity. Each body is shapely and pale as they extend their limbs to get a better glimpse of their target. Certain pieces of their bodies are covered in drapery but a great deal of their skin is left bare, some women even have their breasts exposed. By using natural colors these women appear soft and gentle, but their fluidity gives them an edge. Some women are animalistic in their stance, crouching and leaning into the hunt. Many of the women are sporting outfits of greens and blues, but the women in action wear warmer colors, namely red and pink. These women wearing passionate hues are holding weaponry, bow and arrow, and controlling the dogs as they jump at the prey. Towards the center are two females of particular interest. One is standing triumphantly, with her bow thrust into the air. Her whole body is in motion. Her dress combines two diverse colors, a pale yellow-green and a light pink. This combination seems to bring the natural environment and the heat of the hunt together. She also wears a crescent symbol in her hair that is unique among the women. The second intriguing female is of much younger age, and she is the only girl to stare back at the viewer. Her intense gaze is almost a challenge, as if daring an outsider to complete the task these women did: to kill an animal. Her entire body is visible as she relaxes in a shallow pond. Her skin is also angelically pale and dainty. Finally the eyes reach the interest of these ladies, a bird. Although animal is already falling, another round of arrows flies around its body. While there are smaller figures in the background, the women are the main characters as they use their elegant forms to complete an inherently masculine task. 

(La caccia di Diana - painting - by Domenico Zampieri)

Villa Borghese