Fig leaf

A statue of Mercury holding the caduceus in the Vatican , with a fig leaf placed over the genitalia. The fig leaf was placed there under the more "chaste" Popes ; later, most such coverings were removed. A fig leaf is the covering up of an act or an object that is embarrassing or disagreeable. The term is a metaphorical reference to the Biblical Book of Genesis , in which Adam and Eve used fig leaves to cover "their nakedness " after eating the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil .

A fig leaf cast in plaster used to cover the genitals of a copy of a statue of David in the Cast Courts of the Victoria and Albert Museum . In the reign of Queen Victoria , display of male nudity was contentious and the Queen herself was said to find it shocking. The museum commissioned this fig leaf and kept it in readiness in case of a visit by the Queen or other female dignitary: the fig leaf was then hung on the figure using a pair of hooks. Today, the fig leaf is no longer used, but it is displayed in a case at the back of the cast's plinth. A statue of Mercury holding the caduceus in the Vatican , with a fig leaf placed over the genitalia. The fig leaf was placed there under the more " chaste " Popes ; later, most such coverings were removed. A fig leaf is widely used figuratively to convey the covering up of an act or an object that is embarrassing or distasteful with something of innocuous appearance, a metaphorical reference to the Biblical Book of Genesis , in which Adam and Eve used fig leaves to cover their nudity after eating the fruit from the Tree of knowledge of good and evil . Some paintings and statues have the genitals of their subjects covered by a representation of an actual fig leaf or similar object, either as part of the work or added afterwards for perceived modesty.

Artistic or metaphorical censorship practice This article is about the censorship practice. A fig leaf cast in plaster used to cover the genitals of a copy of a statue of David in the Cast Courts of the Victoria and Albert Museum . Today, the fig leaf is no longer used, but it is displayed in a case at the back of the cast's plinth. In culture, a " fig leaf " or " fig-leaf " is a literal or figurative method of obscuring an act or object considered embarrassing or distasteful with something of innocuous appearance. The use of an actual fig leaf for the purpose originates in Western painting and sculpture , where leaves would be used by the artist themselves or by later censors in order to hide the genitalia of a subject. Use of the fig plant in particular came about as a Biblical reference to the Book of Genesis , in which Adam and Eve used fig leaves to cover their nudity after eating the forbidden fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil . "...and they sewed fig leaves and made themselves waist-belts" "Genesis 3:7 (several translations)" .

Artistic or metaphorical censorship practice This article is about the censorship practice. A fig leaf cast in plaster used to cover the genitals of a copy of a statue of David in the Cast Courts of the Victoria and Albert Museum . Today, the fig leaf is no longer used, but it is displayed in a case at the back of the cast's plinth. In culture, a " fig leaf " or " fig-leaf " is a literal or figurative method of obscuring an act or object considered embarrassing or distasteful with something of innocuous appearance. The use of an actual fig leaf for the purpose originates in Western painting and sculpture , where leaves would be used by the artist themselves or by later censors in order to hide the genitalia of a subject. Use of the fig plant in particular came about as a Biblical reference to the Book of Genesis , in which Adam and Eve used fig leaves to cover their nudity after eating the forbidden fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil . A "fig-leaf edition" of a work is known as an expurgation or Bowdlerization . "...and they sewed fig leaves and made themselves waist-belts" "Genesis 3:7 (several translations)" .