Vergogna is Italian for "shy, ashamed or
timid". This beautiful statue is taken from the painting "Phryne
Before the Judges" by
Jean-Leon Gerome.
The
story of Phryne is fascinating - she was a real person, a 4th century Greek
courtesan who was accused of blasphemy for appearing as Aphrodite at a Greek
festival. Blasphemy was punishable by death, and Hyperides, who was
defending her at trial, knew he was losing his case. In a desperate last
appeal, Hyperides pulled off Phryne's garment and asked the court how a body so
beautiful could possibly blaspheme the name of Aphrodite. The judges
agreed, and Phryne was acquitted.
Cast from Carrara marble in Borgo san Giacomo, Italy.