Hermes - Marble Bust 46 cm

This Bust of Hermes is a reproduction in Carrara marble of the original Greek statue Hermes and Dionysus, dating back to 330 BC and housed in the Archaeological Museum of Olympia.

Pausanias, the writer and geographer of the 2nd century AD, accurately described this statue. Thanks to his description, it was possible to attribute it to Praxiteles, the great Greek sculptor of the 4th century BC.

The god Hermes holds the small Dionysus in his left arm, who seems to reach out towards a cluster of grapes that the god probably held with his right hand.

The myth tells that the young god was ordered by Zeus to bring the newborn Dionysus, immediately after his miraculous birth from the thigh of the father of the gods, to the mythical land of Nysa, to entrust him to the Nymphs who would raise him away from Hera’s jealousy.

"This is the only original sculpture from antiquity that can be certainly attributed to Praxiteles, an artist who expressed his unique talent in a way that found no equal. In this work, the realistic tendencies of the time, such as the texture of the hanging fabric that makes it look real, merge with the introspective idealism that pervades the figure of the god, giving it unsurpassed charm."

Photin N. Zaphiropolous

Features

• Material: Reconstituted Carrara marble
• Hand patinated
• Base: marble
• Dimensions: 46.5 x 35.5 x 16.5 cm
• Weight: 14 Kg
• Made in Italy

                 

Historical Curiosities

Hermes, known in Rome as Mercury, is the messenger of the gods, the god of eloquence, commerce, and communications.

For the ancient Greeks, Hermes embodied the spirit of passage and crossing: they believed the god manifested in any kind of exchange, transfer, overcoming, change, transit—all concepts that somehow refer to a passage from one place or state to another.

This explains why he was associated with changes in human fate and why he was one of the few allowed to enter the Underworld. Hermes played the role of psychopomp, that is, the one who guides the souls of the dead to the afterlife. In this function, he was seen as a mediator between the world of the living and the dead, a role that made him a fundamental figure in the rituals and beliefs of ancient Greece.

Maintenance

To keep your Hermes marble bust in perfect condition, it is recommended to clean it regularly with a soft, dry cloth. Avoid using harsh chemical cleaners that could damage the marble surface. If necessary, use a solution of lukewarm water and mild soap, drying immediately with a clean cloth to prevent streaks.