Da Nile is more than just a river in Egypt

Posted on 3 June 2006 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Perhaps this shot of the head of the representation of The Nile on G.L. Bernini’s Fountain of the Rivers in the Piazza Navona might stir you to think of a caption?

More than a river in Egypt

Andrew might like this one better than the last.

About Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Fr. Z is the guy who runs this blog. o{]:¬)
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4 Responses to Da Nile is more than just a river in Egypt

  1. Victor says:
    4 June 2006 at 1:58 am

    You do know why Nile’s face is veiled, don’t you? Until the 19th century, his head (i.e. his sources) was unknown, so in almost every renaissance/baroque painting or sculpture his head is somehow hidden.

  2. Sidney says:
    4 June 2006 at 2:59 am

    What a good photo…
    But there is aanther explanation:
    Bernini (who built the fountain)and Borromini (who built the church in front of
    the fountain) were rivals, so, the Nile is covering his eyes to don’t see
    the church’s rival….

    In Iesu et Mariae….

    (Your blessing father)

  3. Fr. John Zuhlsdorf says:
    4 June 2006 at 9:19 am

    Sidney: The only problem with that is that the church was built after the fountain. So, that would seem not to be the reason (as fun as it is). Victor get’s the gold star for the day: the source or “head” of the Nile was still unknown when the statue was made.

    o{]:¬)

  4. Sidney says:
    4 June 2006 at 3:47 pm

    oh… I’m sorry, this was my guidebook explanation about the fountain…..