This extraordinary Carrara marble bust of Hermes reproduces the Greek statue from 330 BC, today preserved at the Archaeological Museum of Olympia. It reproduces the ancient Greek god, known as the messenger of the gods and the protector of travellers, merchants and athletes.

Hermes, for the Romans Mercury, embodied the spirit of passage and crossing. The Greeks thought that god manifested himself in any kind of exchange, transfer, violation, or passage from one place, or from one state, to another. This explains his being related to changes in man's fate and why he was one of the few to be allowed to frequent the Kingdom of the Underworld.

Characteristics

• Material: recomposed Carrara marble
• Hand patinated
• Base: marble
• Dimensioni: 28 x 20 x 13 cm (11.02 x 7.87 x 5.12 inches)
• Weight: 3,220 Kg
• Produced in Italy

                         

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

In the work, the god Hermes holds in his left arm the little Dionysus who seems to be leaning towards a bunch of grapes that the god probably held with the right hand.

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

"It is the only original sculpture that has come down to us from antiquity that can be attributed with certainty to Praxiteles, an artist who expressed his particular 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 seem real, merge with the introspective idealism that pervades the figure of the god, giving it an unsurpassed charm."

Photin N. Zaphiropolous

Historical Curiosities

Hermes is one of the most versatile deities in Greek mythology. He is revered as the messenger of the gods, due to his speed and ability to move quickly between the worlds of gods and that of men. This also made him the god of borders, travel and trade.

Hermes was also associated with the role of psychopomp, or the one who guides the souls of the deceased into the afterlife. This role made him a key figure in the funeral rites and beliefs of ancient Greece, where he was seen as a mediator between the worlds of the living and the dead.

Maintenance

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