Hippolyte-Jules Lefèbvre’s sculpture of Niobe in the Jardin d’été, Arles, August 2016
Niobe is a symbol of extreme sadness, handed down to us from Greek mythology. She was exceedingly proud of the number of children she had given birth to (exact numbers vary, but usually quoted as seven girls and seven boys). Her open boasting of her maternity prowess was punished by the murder of her children by Artemis and Apollo, and in her grief she was turned to stone.
Appropriate, then, that the sculpture of Niobe in Arles is sitting in the shadow of the surrounding trees.
Copyright Debbie Smyth, 24 September 2016
Part of My Sunday Photo and Shadow Shot Sunday
Travel with Intent 
An incredible and unique statue
Thank you for linking up
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A lot of feeling in a piece of stone!
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expressive. and brown smears are spot on.
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yes, just perfect – maybe she is alive beneath the stone!
On Sun, Sep 25, 2016 at 9:42 PM, Travel with Intent wrote:
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Gorgeous work, Debbie and a great angle to capture her.
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Thanks Paula ☺
On Sun, Sep 25, 2016 at 9:54 AM, Travel with Intent wrote:
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la mitologia ci dona sempre temi tragici che ci fanno anche molto pensare…
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Ah, where would we be without the Greek gods and Greek tragedy?
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The punishment for hubris.
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Terrific sculpture
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Certainly an expressive pose in this lovely sculpture.
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Very dramatic, I felt
On Sat, Sep 24, 2016 at 9:23 PM, Travel with Intent wrote:
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I can certainly understand feeling like stone in times of grief. I’ve been there. Great shot.
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