Bust of Adonis

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A striking replica stands adjacent to the bust and head of the revered "Genius of the Vatican" or "Eros of Centocelle," proudly displayed within the Vatican Museum's walls. The original, a captivating half-length statue, was unearthed at Centocelle near Rome and subsequently acquired by Pope Clement XIV. Initially believed to represent Adonis, this mythical figure is steeped in Greek lore as the son of mortals, Aphrodite's passionate love for him led her to fiercely protect him. When he succumbed to his fate, she poured nectar over his blood, thereby transforming it into a life-giving force that each spring imbues with vibrant color, turning the torrential river known as the Adonis River in modern-day Lebanon a deep shade of crimson. As a result, modern scholarship often describes him as an eternally youthful deity tied to the cycles of nature, embodying the eternal cycle of life, death, and rebirth. His name is frequently applied to handsome youths who embody his timeless essence, serving as the ultimate archetype for beauty and charm.