The Ganges, Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi (Fountain of the Four Rivers)
By Gian Lorenzo Bernini, 1651
Piazza Navona
Rome, April 2013
“The Ganges, representing Asia, holds a long oar to signify its long but navigable waters. Domenico’s account of the fountain describes the Ganges as ‘holding a leafy branch in its hand denoting the fertility of its land,’ and while no such branch exists today the figure is indeed surrounded by lots of lush vegetation.” (The Ganges, The 2013 Bernini Online Exhibit)
See also: The Nile
2 comments:
Interesting story about the figure !
Been there...love it.
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