Cicognara's collection contained many pieces rarely seen even at the Louvre Museum. Among them was an artist named Dürer, who excelled at woodcut prints. His most famous work was probably Revelation, but Cicognara had collected a colored piece titled "Madonna with the Many Animals." Its image was not as striking as Revelation's: before a mountain sat a noblewoman with a child, surrounded by many small animals.
"Come have a drink," Cicognara said to Georgiana and Denon.
She turned and accepted one of the glasses.
"This is Attis sparkling wine. See how it compares with Champagne?" Cicognara said.
Georgiana took a sip.
To be honest, the flavor was far too intense. Both the sourness and sweetness were overwhelming, as though the brewer had tried to use the acidity to counterbalance the sweetness.
"Too strong," Denon said.
"Do you like it?" Cicognara asked.
"France's is made by monasteries. This has the taste of Rome." Georgiana smiled. "I like it now."
Cicognara laughed, and they carried their glasses toward the next sculpture.
"What is this supposed to depict?" Georgiana asked as she examined it. It looked like a woman being pursued, her face frozen in panic.
"Her name is Arethusa. She was one of the four Hesperides sisters who guarded the Garden of the Hesperides," Cicognara explained.
"I heard there were only three sisters." Denon looked at Cicognara.
"There is a legend about her. A hunter named Alpheus fell for her, but Arethusa did not wish to marry him, so she fled the garden. Later, she became a spring, while Alpheus became a river," Cicognara said.
"That sounds like Daphne and Apollo," Georgiana said.
"But Apollo did not become a spring. The Delphic Oracle says that Alpheus and Arethusa merged together," Cicognara said.
So that counted as a happy ending?
Georgiana looked at