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Photographer: Steve Stoessel
Taken: March 29, 2019
Caption: The Triton Pool
Additional Description: In Greek mythology, Triton was the son of Poseidon (Roman name, Neptune), the god of the sea. Triton was half dolphin and half man. He created winds at Poseidon's bidding by coming tothe surface of the sea and blowing through a conch shell.

The representations here are probably based upon a painting by Annibale Carrafi, an early Baroque artist who resided in Bologna, Italy. It is believed that they illustratea story told in Virgil's Aeneid in which Triton was challenged to a contest by Misenus, the Trojan trumpeter for Aeneas. Triton promptly tossed Misenus into the sea for his arrogance.

The statues were carved from Carrara marble by an unknown Italian artist.The quarry in Italy that produces this marble has been used since Roman times. Carrara was also the source of much of the marble used by Michelangelo to produce many of his famous works, including the David in Florence and the Pieta in Rome. Local residents often refer to the Tritons as "Spit and Spat."
Submitted: March 31, 2019, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York.
Database Locator Identification Number: p468480
File Size: 2.067 Megabytes

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