El Cagalibri

Francesco Barzaghi's statue of Nicolò Tommaseo (1802-74), which stands in the centre of Campo Santo Stefano, was nicknamed El Cagalibri (the book-shitter) almost as soon as it was unveiled, in 1882. 

​The unfortunately placed books were added, not only as a reference to the intellectual qualities of Tommaseo, but also to stabilise the marble statue. 

In addition to the bible, the great patriot, linguist and editor of an eight-volme dictionary of Italian, is shown in the company of books by Dante and Homer. 
The statue of Nicolò Tommaseo, also known as El Cagalibri, Campo Santo Stefano, Venice
Nicolò Tommaseo