Nydia, The Blind Flower Girl of Pompeii c. 1855 - 1858

Randolph Rogers crafted this marble sculpture of Nydia in the 19th century, immortalizing a character from Bulwer-Lytton’s novel about Pompeii. The figure of Nydia, depicted with heightened senses as she listens intently, evokes the classical motif of heightened sensory awareness in times of crisis. We see echoes of this posture throughout art history – think of Laocoön, writhing in agony, acutely aware of his impending doom. Nydia’s gesture of listening has been passed down through history, appearing in various contexts, from ancient oracles to modern depictions of intense emotion. The gesture highlights the cyclical nature of human experience. It is a reminder that these images have the power to engage viewers on a deep, subconscious level. This is not just a depiction of a blind girl; it is a representation of humanity's intuitive response to the world.