Ganymede and the Eagle, c. 1710
Antonio Montautiexpand_more
Bronzeexpand_more
The Putnam Dana McMillan Fundexpand_more 78.63.2
On View in Gallery 310expand_more
Captivated by the beauty of the shepherd Ganymede, Zeus transformed himself into an eagle and abducted the youth, whom he then installed as cupbearer to the gods on Mount Olympus for eternity. In most representations, the mortal shepherd boy is shown overpowered by the formidable eagle, but here Ganymede stands upright and engages with the eagle through a gesture of affection and familiarity. This friendly pairing suggests that Ganymede’s ascent to Mount Olympus was not so much an abduction but a joyful transcendence from the earthly realm to the divine.
Details
- Title
- Ganymede and the Eagle
- Artist Life
- 1683–1746
- Role
- Artist
- Dimension
- 18 1/2 in. (46.99 cm)
- Accession Number
- 78.63.2
- Curator Approved
This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.
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