Adrasteia at The Palace of Versailles, France

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This stunning marble sculpture is attributed to Nicolas Poussin (1594 - 1665), a masterful replica of an original piece from Rome crafted in the XVII Century. The artwork portrays Adrasteia, also known as 'Liberality' or 'Abundance', a deity deeply rooted in Greek mythology. According to legend, Adrasteia was a nymph tasked by Rhea with secretly nurturing the infant Zeus within the sacred Dictaean cave, shielding him from his father Cronus. Adrasteia's worship extended to hellenised Phrygia (north-western Turkey), likely derived from a local Anatolian mountain deity. Inscriptions found in Greece around 400 BC attest to her role as a guardian of the righteous. Moreover, Adrastea may be synonymous with Cybele as a goddess associated with childbirth. In ancient Greek culture, a patronage system was prevalent, where gods were revered for serving specific human needs, conditions or desires. Individuals would offer praise and tribute to these deities in exchange for success in areas such as childbirth. This exquisite sculpture is part of "Scan The World", a non-profit initiative launched by MyMiniFactory. Through this project, we are creating a digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks and landmarks from across the globe, accessible for free to the public. Scan The World is an open-source community effort, welcoming contributions from individuals with interesting items they'd like to share. If you have something unique to offer, email stw@myminifactory.com to learn how you can participate in this noble endeavor.