The Myth of Pygmalion
from Ovid
Pygmalion was a gifted sculptor from Cyprus who had no interest in the local women as he found them immoral and frivolous. Instead Pygmalion concentrated on his art until one day he ran across a large, flawless piece of ivory and decided to carve a beautiful woman from it.
When he had finished the statue, Pygmalion found it so lovely and the image of his ideal woman that he clothed the figure and adorned her in jewels even though she was an counterfeit creation. He gave the statue a name: Galatea, sleeping love. He found himself obsessed with his ideal woman so he went to the temple of the goddess Aphrodite to ask forgiveness for all the years he had shunned her and beg for a wife who would be as perfect as his statue.
Aphrodite was curious so she visited the studio of the sculptor while he was away and was charmed by his creation. Galatea was the image of Aphrodite, herself. Being flattered, Aphrodite brought the statue to life. When Pygmalion returned to his home, he found Galatea alive, and he humbled himself at her feet. Pygmalion and Galatea were wed, and Pygmalion never forget to thank Aphrodite for the gift she had given him. He and Galatea brought gifts to her temple throughout their life, and Aphrodite blessed them with happiness and love in return.
(from studyguide.org)