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Bocca Della Verità
The Mouth of Truth ( it, Bocca della Verità ) is a marble mask in Rome, Italy, which stands against the left wall of the portico of the Santa Maria in Cosmedin church, at the Piazza della Bocca della Verità, the site of the ancient Forum Boarium (the ancient cattle market). According to enduring medieval legend, it will bite off the hand of any liar who places their hand in its mouth, or, alternatively, any who utters a lie while their hand is in the mouth. It still attracts many visitors who audaciously insert their hands. The massive marble mask weighs about 1300 kg (2800 lbs) and probably depicts the face of the sea titan god Oceanus. The eyes, nostrils and mouth are open. Historians aren't quite certain what the original purpose of the disc was. It was possibly used as a drain cover in the nearby Temple of Hercules Victor, which had an oculus—a round open space in the middle of the roof, similar to that of the Pantheon. Hence, it could rain inside. It is also tho ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Santa Maria In Cosmedin
The Basilica of Saint Mary in Cosmedin ( it, Basilica di Santa Maria in Cosmedin or ''de Schola Graeca'') is a minor basilica church in Rome, Italy. It is located in the rione of Ripa. History According to Byzantine historian Andrew Ekonomou, the church was founded in the 6th century during the Byzantine rule of the city and was placed in the centre of the Greek community in Rome. The Greek part of the city was referred to as the 'Schola Graeca'. The church was dedicated to the Virgin Mary, who was greatly venerated as Theotokos (Mother of God) in contemporary Constantinople. The name 'Cosmedin' came from the Latinization of the Greek word κοσμίδιον (kosmidion) that derives from the Greek word κόσμος, meaning "ornament, decoration". The church was built in the 8th century, during the Byzantine Papacy, over the remains of the '' Templum Herculis Pompeiani'' in the Forum Boarium and of the ''Statio annonae'', one of the food distribution centres of ancient R ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Jules Blanchard
Jules Blanchard (25 May 1832 – 2 May 1916) was a French sculptor. Blanchard was born in Puiseaux. He was the son-in-law of sculptor Denis Foyatier. He was a student of François Jouffroy. Blanchard is perhaps best known for his renovation of the Fontaine du Palmier in the Place du Châtelet, Paris. Selected works * ''La Bocca della verità'' (La bouche de la vérité) (1871), statue, marble, Paris, Jardin du Luxembourg * ''Andromède'' (Salon de 1892), statue, Paris, Jardin du Luxembourg * ''La Science'' (commande de 1882), statue, bronze, Paris, by the Hôtel de Ville, Paris * ''Boccador'', Paris, by the Hôtel de Ville * Four caryatid A caryatid ( or or ; grc, Καρυᾶτις, pl. ) is a sculpted female figure serving as an architectural support taking the place of a column or a pillar supporting an entablature on her head. The Greek term ''karyatides'' literally means "ma ...s, on the facade of the Hôtel de Ville * ''Un jeune équilibriste'' (Salon de 1866), p ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
1st-century Roman Sculptures
The 1st century was the century spanning AD 1 ( I) through AD 100 ( C) according to the Julian calendar. It is often written as the or to distinguish it from the 1st century BC (or BCE) which preceded it. The 1st century is considered part of the Classical era, epoch, or historical period. The 1st century also saw the appearance of Christianity. During this period, Europe, North Africa and the Near East fell under increasing domination by the Roman Empire, which continued expanding, most notably conquering Britain under the emperor Claudius (AD 43). The reforms introduced by Augustus during his long reign stabilized the empire after the turmoil of the previous century's civil wars. Later in the century the Julio-Claudian dynasty, which had been founded by Augustus, came to an end with the suicide of Nero in AD 68. There followed the famous Year of Four Emperors, a brief period of civil war and instability, which was finally brought to an end by Vespasian, ninth Roman emperor, a ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
