Nymphe et Enfant Soufflant Dans une Conque Marine - Versailles, France
Posted by: Metro2
N 48° 48.333 E 002° 07.172
31U E 435350 N 5406213
The gardens of Versailles have hundreds of sculptures. This one is located along the side of the pool near the Chateau.
Waymark Code: WMD13X
Location: Île-de-France, France
Date Posted: 11/04/2011
Views: 27
This 1689 bronze sculpture is entitled "Nymphe et Enfant Soufflant Dans une Conque Marine" or in English "Nymph and Child Blowing into a Conch Shell". It depicts a woman laying on her right side, barebreasted with a cloth covering her waist. She props herself up with her right arm as she looks to the distance. She holds a chart in her right hand. She wears a laurel...made perhaps with seaweed? Her left arm reaches casually toward a young child standing behind her blowing into a conch shell. The artists are Laurent Magnier (1615-1700) & Balthasar Keller (1638-1702).
In Greek mythology, Nymphs were considered devine spirits...who lived in mountains and groves and led lifestyles free of the strict moral code demanded of real women at the time. This nymph seems to be more of a marine spirit. Read more about them at (
visit link)