Nello Della Pietra and Pia de' Tolomei

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"Nello della Pietra e Pia dei Tolomei", a figurative sculpture created by Alfonso Balzico in 1868, showcases Pia dei Tolomei and her husband Nello, two characters from Gaetano Donizetti's tragic opera "Pia de' Tolomei". The narrative is rooted in Dante's Divine Comedy (Part 2, Purgatorio), where the story was originally mentioned. The marble sculpture vividly depicts Pia dei Tolomei at her husband's feet as he seizes their wedding ring from her finger. This dramatic scene revolves around a tale of revenge sparked by Ghino, who has become infatuated with Pia but is rebuffed and fabricates allegations that she had committed adultery. Nello, deceived by these false accusations, orders his wife's execution before realizing the truth - but it's too late as Pia has already lost her life.