Final answer:
Pygmalion loves Galatea, a statue he created, because of its stunning beauty and lifelike qualities. As he works on and spends time with the statue, he grows increasingly attached, treating it like a living being. His love leads him to pray to Venus, who brings Galatea to life, allowing him to marry her.
Step-by-step explanation:
Pygmalion falls in love with Galatea, a statue he carved, due to the exquisite beauty and lifelike appearance of the sculpture. Pygmalion, the sculptor in the myth, was a talented artist who became disillusioned with women and decided to craft an ivory figure representing his ideal of womanly perfection. As he spent more time with the statue, he became enamored with it and treated it as if it were a living woman. The statue was so perfectly made and realistic that Pygmalion couldn't help developing feelings for it. His love was so deep that he prayed to Venus, the goddess of love, who granted his wish and turned the inanimate object into a living woman, which he then married.