Photo of “Sleeping Girl” at the oldest cemetery in Athens. (Philip Jameson)
My friend Philip Jameson, the photographer, saw my post of sad sculptures and sent this shot he took in Athens of the “Sleeping Girl,” lightly brushed by sun. Philip’s fond belief is that the sculptor was the girl’s father, and that he was so distraught after discovering he had carved the work two inches short of the width of the tomb that he committed suicide.
Philip has visited the tomb regularly since 1960 after wedding his wife, who is Greek. The tragedy is poignant, the beautiful word he uses to describe the beautiful sculpture. It is almost as if the girl beneath the sculpture has arisen from her grave. That is a somber but pleasing thought on Easter, for me in particular as my wife Victoria’s dear father, Laszlo Somlo, who was like a father to me, passed away on Good Friday. We buried him at Swan Point later the same day. We do not believe he will rise to life again. That does not mean we do not wish it. A man truly well loved, he lives in our memories.
Laszlo loved classical music and opera. Next time you hear music you love, please think a kind thought on his behalf.
Close-up of “Sleeping Girl.” (pinterest.com)
Architecture Here and There 
Such an amazing art form, and more powerful in that the vast majority of us (Bernie’s 99%) go elsewhere to see sculpture, as opposed to music, paintings, film, video, etc. which we can have in our homes. So amazing to see sculptures where shoulders or paws or whatever have been rubbed to another shade or sheen by admirers. Can’t beat 3-D art that also includes touch.
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Please publish the link to your column on sad sculpture. I seem to have missed it.
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