Meta Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg caused a stir on social media Wednesday by revealing an imposing statue of his wife, Priscilla Chan, on Instagram. The towering sculpture, standing approximately 7 feet (2.1 meters) tall, was commissioned by the Facebook founder as a tribute to what he described as "the Roman tradition of making sculptures of your wife."
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Crafted by New York-based artist Daniel Arsham, the statue features a striking silver and blue color scheme. The piece, which appears to be situated in a residential garden beneath a tree, depicts Chan with a flowing silver garment draped over and behind a teal-colored figure.
The unveiling quickly captured the internet's attention, with users drawing comparisons to characters from the film "Avatar" and playfully commenting on Zuckerberg's reputation as a devoted husband. Chan herself responded to her husband's Instagram post with a lighthearted comment: "The more of me the better?" accompanied by a heart emoji.
In the shared image, the real-life Chan is seen standing beside her statuesque counterpart, sipping from a mug that matches the light blue hue of the sculpture. The juxtaposition of the living Chan with her larger-than-life likeness added to the buzz surrounding the piece.
While Zuckerberg cited Roman traditions as inspiration for the commission, experts note that statues in ancient Rome often served to honor deceased loved ones or "to refer to significant relatives and to make meaningful associations," according to the National Museums Liverpool.
Zuckerberg and Chan, who tied the knot in 2012, are parents to three daughters. The couple's relationship has often been a subject of public interest, given Zuckerberg's high-profile role in the tech industry.