The Marble Statue

Did You Know?

• The Marble Statue is seen as a modern adaptation of the traditional Venusberg myth.
• It was first published in Johann Leonhard Schrag's Frauentaschenbuch für das Jahr 1819.
• In 1826 it was published alongside Eichendorff's novella Memoirs of a Good-for-Nothing.

Plot

On a summer night, the young man Florio joins festivities near the gate to Lucca. He meets the musician Fortunato, a beautiful maiden named Bianca, and the eloquent cavalier Donati. Donati greets Florio as an old friend and knows details of his youth, though Florio does not recall meeting him. Florio stays at an inn but cannot sleep and takes a nightly walk. He discovers a marble statue of Venus that seems oddly familiar, reminding him of his youth yet alarming him. The next morning he revisits the statue and ends up in an extravagant garden surrounding a palace, where he sees a beautiful singing lady whose features resemble the statue's. Donati says the lady is a wealthy relative and offers to introduce Florio. The following morning Donati invites Florio hunting, but Florio refuses because it is Sunday and he wants to attend church. Fortunato invites him to an evening party. The woman invites him to visit her home and reveals her face; Florio recognizes her as the garden lady. Late at night, Fortunato introduces Florio to Bianca's uncle Pietro and to Bianca, who is disappointed by Florio's coldness. Several days later Donati brings Florio to the lady's palace. After receiving them in the garden, the lady brings Florio into a chamber and begins to undress. Florio hears what sounds like Fortunato singing a pious song outside. When Florio utters a short prayer, a thunderstorm approaches, the lady turns pale, and statues come alive, prompting Florio to flee. He goes to Donati's villa but finds only a lowly hut and a gardener who does not know Donati. Florio rides from Lucca and is joined by three riders: Fortunato, Pietro, and Bianca. They see a dilapidated ruin in the distance, which Florio recognizes as the lady's palace. Pietro and Fortunato explain it is a former temple of Venus and mention legends of people tempted by spirits there.