STRICKEN CALF TRYING TO EXTRACT ARROW

543

fisherman holding up his catch,1 or, as seen in the fine gem depicting the
Scants Cretensis, a kind of 'parrot wrass', for which the Cretan waters
were celebrated,2 becomes itself a masterpiece of perspective drawing,
(See Suppl. Pi. LIV, e.)

Stricken Calf endeavouring to extract Arrow with his Leg.

A particular refinement marks the artistic transformation of the simple Stricken
earl)' versions of the wounded wild-goat. The theme is transferred to toextracf
other animals, which are depicted striving to extract the lethal shaft. arrow-

A pathetic and really painful example of this class is supplied by a len-
toid bead-seal of milk-white chalcedony from the Knossos district (Fig. 498).:i

Fig. 498. Calf endeavouring to
extract Arrow : Milk-white Chal-
cedony, Knossos District.

Fig. 490. Calf with Arrow in

Bacr : Mottled Cornelian,

Mycenae.

Here a calf, with horns just sprouting, singled out, we may suppose, from the
herd of wild cattle, for its tender flesh, is depicted as vainly striving to
extract an arrow deeply embedded in the lower part of his flank. Bellowing
with pain, with protruding tongue and ears erect, he is shown in frantic action
half-way to a headlong fall.

As an illustration of instantaneous draughtmanship this intaglio must
be regarded as a real masterpiece. The firm, sure touch that is here dis-
played, and the reserved treatment, which shuns all details except those
actually needed for the presentment of this tragedy of the chase as affecting the

' ■<"• of M., i, p. 677, Fig. 497; and for
a parallel type, B.ij-L Cat. Engraved Gems,
**•■ El. I, 39.

' P. ofM., i, Fig. 498.

Fig. 498 is from a drawing by M. E.
Gillieron, fils. This and the gems, Figs. 420,

427. 453, were placed by meat the disposal of
Mr. IS. J. Forsdyke for his Hertz Lecture on
Miiman Art given to the British Academy,
Proceedings, vol. xv (1929). Sec PI. X, and
cf. pp. 24, 25.