"Angel lust" immortalized in bronze

"Angel lust" is postmortem priapism, typically seen in males who have died via strangulation.  That process appears to be depicted in the Parisian monument to Victor Noir.

A life-size bronze statue was sculpted by Jules Dalou to mark his grave, portrayed in a realistic style as though he had just fallen on the street, dropping his hat which is depicted beside him. The sculpture has a very noticeable protuberance in Noir's trousers. This has made it one of the most popular memorials for women to visit in the famous cemetery. Myth says that placing a flower in the upturned top hat after kissing the statue on the lips and rubbing its genital area will enhance fertility, bring a blissful sex life, or, in some versions, a husband within the year. As a result of the legend, those particular components of the oxidized bronze statue are rather well-worn.

You learn something every day.

Photo credit to Gyrus, via Futility Closet.