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Book 31: ANCIENT CITIES / DEPARTING FRIENDS

STORKS IN SELÇUK

Drawing storks at the bus stop in Seljuk after days of repressed rage, summer 2014—–What was I mad about? Nevermind! But the storks don’t care which is why I love them.

WANDERING AROUND EPHESOS

Just meandering around Ephesus on a hot day…

DIONYSIUS AT EPHESOS

A million Chinese and Ausralian tourists watched me draw this. It was Anzac Day- 2015 [Centennial] – Sulla’s monument at Ephesus, described by one guide as “a fake Cubist expression of the monument,” because of all the restorative cement. I drew it because of the lovely Dionysius at the back – 21April 2015—–How do we know it’s Dionysius? He’s a teenager in red boots and a leopard skin. If we could look closer, I’ll bet there are traces of red in the creases of the remaining boot. This statue is so beautiful, in contrast to the hashed reconstruction of Sulla’s monument in front, that I just had to draw it.

SOCRATES IN SELÇUK

Ivory snapshot twice-size / Gold coin w/Bee / Boy and 3 girls “Alice” 3rd-7th C AD I DON’T THINK! Silver / Some Victorian kid dropped this during excavation / SOCRATES / c1850 Excavations from Ephesus / Lovely little terra-cotta figurine  18″ – 4/15—– Ephesos was excavated in the Victorian era. This looks like a kid’s school prize that got lost and buried, to be dug up and dated by “experts.” Socrates, of course, is timeless. But where did he get that short upturned nose? Drawn in the Archeological Museum in Selçuk.

The figures look like they were drawn by John Tenniel for Alice in Wonderland.

GUARDED WARRIOR

Note his musculature – This guy could really throw a spear – Athena? Steadfast with a warrior – 2nd C AD? – Carved ivory in its frame – About twice actual size – I hope she kept him safe / She keeps him still – Selçuk Museum – No information—–This small carving is about 3 1/2  X 5″, like a photograph. It was carved in expensive ivory, and the face of the soldier looks to be a portrait. Who is his comrade? She could be an Amazon; she has only one breast.

A LIFE LIVED

In a museum somewhere in Izmir…A life lived—–I was struck by the gentle face of the woman on this tomb.

ANCIENT CONGLOMERATE

Lion-clawed marble chair at Priene, Chicken-footed angels on tomb from Ephesos – 8-7 C BCE: Bronze Faucet – Actual Size – 7-6C BCE: Fabulous wheeled goat in Ivory – Griffin in gold – Didim Face—–Museum artifacts and a first take on one of the famous carved chairs from the theater at Priene. I love these Harpies, clearly the precursors to the Christian angels.

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