Nydia, The Blind Flower Girl of Pompeii
Randolph Rogers (American, 1825–1892)
modeled 1855–56, carved 1858
- Medium
- Marble
- Classification
- Sculpture
- Dimensions
- 130.8 × 64.1 × 91.4 cm (51 1/2 × 25 1/4 × 36 in.)
- Culture
- Rome
- Museum
- Art Institute of Chicago, Arts of the Americas
- Credit line
- Bequest of Mrs. Uri Balcom
- Rights
- Public domain (CC0), as the museum states it.
- Who can see it
- Tweens profiles and older: its subjects are known and suit older children. How works are placed
View at the Art Institute of Chicago
About this work
This statue is based on a character from Edward Bulwer-Lytton’s popular 1834 novel The Last Days of Pompeii. In the episode depicted here, Nydia and her two companions attempt to flee the city after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. The three become separated, however, and Randolph Rogers captured Nydia as she gropes her way through the burning city. The broken Corinthian column at her feet symbolizes fallen Pompeii, and Nydia’s clinging garments, entangled in her staff, indicate her chaotic surroundings. Because of its narrative quality, sentimental presentation, and classical features and proportions, this sculpture was extremely popular with the American public upon its first being exhibited.
Description © Art Institute of Chicago, CC BY 4.0
