About
The Abduction of Ganymede depicts lively mythical figures frozen in action. Ganymede, the son of King Tros, who gave his name to the city of Troy, was the most beautiful youth alive and therefore chosen by the gods to be Zeus’ cupbearer. It is said that Zeus, desiring Ganymede also as his bedfellow, disguised himself in eagle’s feathers and abducted him from the Trojan plain. Afterward, on Zeus’ behalf, Hermes presented King Tros with a golden vine (the work of Hephaestus) and two fine horses as compensation for his loss. Hermes assured him at the same time that Ganymede had become immortal, exempt from the miseries of old age, and was now smiling, golden bowl in hand, as he dispensed bright nectar to the Father of Heaven. (Courtesy of SLUMA)
Dimensions: 12′ x 6′ x 6′
Year Completed: 1800s
Material: White marble and copper
Owner: Saint Louis University
