PRAXITELES AND PHRYNE.
Reading edition
Pausanias relates that the beautiful Phryne, whose influence over Praxiteles seems to have been considerable, was anxious to possess a work from his chisel, and when desired to choose for herself, not knowing which of his exquisite works to select, devised the following expedient. She commanded a servant to hasten to him, and tell him that his workshop was in flames, and that with few exceptions, his works had already perished. Praxiteles, not doubting the truth of the announcement, rushed out in the greatest anxiety and alarm, exclaiming, “all is lost, if my Satyr and Cupid are not saved!” The object of Phryne was answered—she confessed her stratagem, and chose the Cupid.
Pliny mentions two figures of Cupids as among the finest works of Praxiteles, one of which he ranks on an equality with the Venus of Cnidus. It was made of Parian marble. There is an exquisite antique Cupid in the Vatican, supposed to be a copy of the Cupid of Phryne.