Tuesday, September 17, 2013

The Ganges

The Ganges, Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi, Fountain of the Four Rivers by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, piazza Navona, Rome

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

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