The Veiled Virgin

I just recieved an email from my friend Dawn, in Michigan. She sent me some photos of statues that were carved out of Carrara marble sometime in the mid-19th century by an artist named Giovanni Strazza.
Just take a look at this...

This is hard, unforgiving, white marble that comes from the city of Carrara in the Tuscany region of Italy. 
This is the most amazing thing I have every seen. The transparent look is the result of an optical illusion. There is no see through veil.
The image of the veiled woman was intended to symbolize Italy. The statue was transported to Newfoundland in 1856, so if you ever visit there, you can see this Veiled Virgin, in person, at Cathedral Square in St. John's.
Wow! I'm blown away.