travel_by_day
09-17-2013, 10:46 AM
Was touring the Louvre the other day, and came across this statue, by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, of Sleeping Hermaphroditus.
Hermaphroditus was the son of Aphrodite and Hermes, who was a feminine, pretty boy who was made more feminine after a liaison with a water nymph.
The statue, approached from the rear, looks like a reclining nude woman lying on her front, but turned slightly away from you. When you go around the front, the figure is turned slightly up, revealing the shape of a breast as well as a penis. The penis, unlike other statues, appears to be at least partially erect.
http://www.hungangels.com/vboard/picture.php?albumid=1766&pictureid=12529
http://www.hungangels.com/vboard/picture.php?albumid=1766&pictureid=12528
The figure appears to be sleeping, but perhaps is not - the foot is raised slightly, and she is turned in a way that perhaps suggests a playful flirtation.
The statue was surprisingly busy - a group of Chinese tourists were taking many photos when I was there.
It was interesting to see, thought I would share.
Hermaphroditus was the son of Aphrodite and Hermes, who was a feminine, pretty boy who was made more feminine after a liaison with a water nymph.
The statue, approached from the rear, looks like a reclining nude woman lying on her front, but turned slightly away from you. When you go around the front, the figure is turned slightly up, revealing the shape of a breast as well as a penis. The penis, unlike other statues, appears to be at least partially erect.
http://www.hungangels.com/vboard/picture.php?albumid=1766&pictureid=12529
http://www.hungangels.com/vboard/picture.php?albumid=1766&pictureid=12528
The figure appears to be sleeping, but perhaps is not - the foot is raised slightly, and she is turned in a way that perhaps suggests a playful flirtation.
The statue was surprisingly busy - a group of Chinese tourists were taking many photos when I was there.
It was interesting to see, thought I would share.