The Little Elephant in Piazza della Minerva - A Revenge Made of Marble

The great Sculptor Gian Lorenzo Bernini, master of the Baroque in Rome, was hired to build a pedestal for a small Egyptian obelisk that was found during some excavations in Rome (probably as part of an ancient Circus), because the obelisk itself was not tall enough to stand in the middle of Piazza della Minerva. 


The great artist started his work, but he was annoyed by the crowds, who gathered around him, attracted by the great fame of the Maestro. Bernini, who did not love popularity, shouted at people: "What is so interesting to look at? I am not an elephant!" Because elephants were exotic animals who attracted crowds at the time... 


During his work, a bitter discussion arose between the artist and the Abbot of the Dominican Convent, which is right on the square... 


From these 2 events the great artist got the inspiration for his artwork: a white elephant with an angry face, dressed in Egyptian way to blend with the obelisk style, but looking backwards with hatred and pointing his ass right towards the convent, as a sign of despising against the nagging Abbot.


Here is how Bernini made a revenge out of a block of marble...
Bernini