Innocence Protected by Fidelity 1852

Giovanni Maria Benzoni carved "Innocence Protected by Fidelity" from marble, during an era when Italian sculptors found a ready market among wealthy tourists seeking sentimental souvenirs. The sculpture shows a young girl, blindfolded, seated next to a dog. The title gives us the key. The "innocence" of the young girl is emphasized by her blindness, while the dog represents "fidelity." The image speaks to a conservative, patriarchal social order in which women are idealized for their purity and men are expected to be loyal protectors. The work draws on classical traditions, but softens them to appeal to middle-class sensibilities. It also reflects the 19th-century art market, where sculptors often created multiple versions of popular subjects. Understanding this artwork requires us to look at the social conditions that shaped its production and reception. Museum archives, period travel guides, and studies of the art market can tell us a lot about the sculpture's original context. By exploring these resources, we can better understand the role art played in shaping social values.