Il "Narciso" di Cellini

Speranza

Of all the narrative descriptions in OVID's Metamorphoses, that of NARCISO is the richest and most poetical.

In the passage illustrated by CELLINI, Ovidio describes how NARCISO, gazing into the pool, "loves an insubstantial hope and thinks that substance which is only shadow."

Narciso looks in speechless wonder at himself.

He hangs there, motionless, in the same expression, like a statua carved from Parian marble."

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The figure could indeed be represented from PARIAN marble.

NARCISO has his eyes lowered and his lips parted, and holds a bunch of flowers and fruit against his head, as he inspects his image in the pool.