Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Topless Sphinx

Topless sphinx, LivornoWikipedia says: In Greek mythology, a sphinx is represented as a monster with a head and breasts of a woman, the body of a lion, the wings of an eagle, and a serpent headed tail.

The unknow “artist” who made this sphinx decided that the eagle and the snake part weren't so important and concentrated himself on the... rest. This terra-cotta sphinx has a twin sister, and both are placed on the back entrance of a famous “palazzo” in central Livorno.

17 comments:

rob said...

una "rifatta" ante literam!

Dave-CostaRicaDailyPhoto.com said...

That is quite a memorable statue. If someone were to guess what country would most likely have a statue such as the one in your photo today, I think Italy and France would come to mind. I wonder when the statue was made. In the USA, I don't think that a statue of that nature would be installed in a public place today, at least not be a government.

I found your site through your comment on Scottsdale, Arizona Daily Photo and am signing up to follow your blog. I love Italy, having visited 6 times, but have not been to Livorno, although I see it listed as a port of call on lots of Mediterranean cruises.

cieldequimper said...

LOL, LOL, LOL! Thanks for putting a huge smile on my face, I really need it right now!

Fio said...

Hahaha!
Topless con l'intervento di chirurgia plastica :-)))

Hilda said...

Oh goodness. If the artist wanted it so busty, the least s/he could have done was stick to the Greek description. LOL!

Julie ScottsdaleDailyPhoto.com said...

this is funny and interesting. I wonder if the artist was drinking the forbidden liquid you referenced on my website. You are very wise to have guessed the item the artists have in common. I have provided much information about the Green Fairy, as it is called, today on my website. I am glad you approved and were familiar with the restaurant food choices also.

B SQUARED said...

Rather buxom for a sphinx.

amatamari© said...

Hei una sfinge davvero prosperosa...

:-)

La foto è bella, mi piace questa angolazione e l'insieme anche cromatico è armonico.

Karen said...

What fun. I think the sculptor had a sense of humor. Saw your comment on Jill's blog and think today must be "Funny Creatures" day.

Clueless in Boston said...

My first thought was that it was outside one of the casinos in Las Vegas.

Kate said...

Never looked up the definition for a sphinx before...interesting. I hate to disagree but I think that there are plenty of places in the US that would proudly display this fine statue. It's a good piece of art so...why not??

Lowell said...

That's wonderful! I would guess you wouldn't want to run into it late at night when you've had too much to drink!

Too much drink and a terra-cotta sphinx would lead one to a shrink!

kostas said...

Beautiful art,I love terra-cotta.

Tash said...

Did Fio say that she looks like an enhanced version by plastic surgery? I also thought the frontal view rather generous. I like the terracotta - very well sculpted. In some parts of the US, we still to have bare chests on public display (http://palosverdesdailyphoto.blogspot.com/2008/07/art-on-mondaymermaid.html) but it was a controversy when 1st installed in the '20s.

Copenhagen said...

I actually think this is a funny statue. Someone should give her a bra.

Ming the Merciless said...

Err....I'm speechless!

tapirgal said...

I noticed right away that the sphinx was unusual. It must be the lack of the snake's head on its tail.