Pygmalion and the Image series which dates back to 1867–1870, used harsher tones, darker colours and less fluid lines – as may be seen in the Gallery below. This second version, despite being painted in oils, has the sheen and soft tones of chalk. The story tells of Pygmalion, a sculptor of Cyprus, the birthplace of Aphrodite. It was first related in Ovid's "Metamorphoses", although by the time of this series, William Morris had written his own version of the story. Pygmalion is seen here in his studio, pondering his lonely life, having chosen to remain celibate in disgust at what he saw as the
Pygmalion (album) a bonus disc consisting of demo versions of "Pygmalion"-era tracks. "Pygmalion" has been well received by critics. AllMusic called it "a stylistic masterpiece", while BBC Music echoed similar sentiments, writing that "Pygmalion" "remains Halstead and Goswell's masterpiece" and comparing it to the ambient work of Brian Eno. "Head Heritage" wrote that with the album, "Slowdive distilled the expansive aural atmospheres of "Souvlaki" to perfection." "Pitchfork" noted the change in style, describing the album's tracks as "ambient pop dreams that have more in common with post-rock like Disco Inferno than shoegazers like Ride". A negative review came from "Trouser Press", which