Venice:
The 'Book Shitter'
The statue of Niccolò Tommaseo, which stands in the centre of Campo Santo Stefano, was nicknamed El Cagalibri (The Book Shitter) almost as soon as it was unveiled, in 1882.
The unfortunately placed books were added, not only as a reference to the intellectual qualities of Tommaseo, but also to support the marble figure.
In addition to the Bible, the great journalist, linguist and editor of a multi-volume dictionary of the Italian language, is shown in the company of books by Dante and Homer.
The statue, the work of the sculptor Francesco Barzaghi (1839-92), was erected in honour of the role Niccolò Tommaseo played in the short-lived Venetian Republic (1847-8).
The unfortunately placed books were added, not only as a reference to the intellectual qualities of Tommaseo, but also to support the marble figure.
In addition to the Bible, the great journalist, linguist and editor of a multi-volume dictionary of the Italian language, is shown in the company of books by Dante and Homer.
The statue, the work of the sculptor Francesco Barzaghi (1839-92), was erected in honour of the role Niccolò Tommaseo played in the short-lived Venetian Republic (1847-8).