Hermes

myminifactory

Hermes is a renowned Olympian god in Greek mythology, son of Zeus and the Pleiad Maia. He is second youngest of the Olympian gods, celebrated for his expertise in transitions and boundaries. He is quick-witted and cunning, effortlessly moving between the worlds of mortals and divine beings as emissary and messenger of the gods, intercessor between mortals and the divine, and conductor of souls into the afterlife. The Hellenistic period saw an abundance of depictions of Hermes, often showcased through the talents of a celebrity of the time. By the 17th Century, Hermes became a sought-after ornament or statue in gardens. Laurent Delvaux (Ghent, 1696 - Nivelles, February 24, 1778) was a French sculptor renowned for his exceptional skills. Delvaux was a pupil of Pierre-Denis Plumier (1688-1721), an Antwerp sculptor. In 1719, he joined Plumier in London, where they collaborated with Pieter Scheemakers in Plumier's studio. Their first commission was a sculpture for John Sheffield, the 1st Duke of Buckingham and Normanby in Westminster Abbey (1721/22). From 1723 to 1728, Delvaux and Scheemakers worked together from their studio in Millbank (Westminster) on the tombs of Westminster Abbey, monuments, and garden ornaments. In 1730, they traveled to Rome to study classical sculpture and master the art of working with marble. Scheemakers returned to England, but Delvaux remained until 1732, when he returned to Nivelles. Delvaux was supported by Charles of Lorraine, a distinguished art patron who aided several young artists at the time. Delvaux produced numerous commissioned works for abbeys and European royal courts. Much of his work has been preserved and can still be admired in monasteries and museums across Belgium. Gilles-Lambert Godecharle was a pupil of Delvaux. Parc de Bruxelles, also known as Brussels Park or Warandepark, is a city park located in the heart of Brussels. Warandepark spans approximately 13 hectares and features symmetrical design elements. The park sits between the rue Royale, rue de la Loi, Ducale, and the Place des Palais. It boasts a large fountain, various busts and statues, neoclassical entrance gates, and a bandstand. In the Royal Park, about sixty images are displayed, mostly drawn from ancient mythology. Most of these were relocated to the park from elsewhere, particularly the old ducal Royal Park, the castle of Tervuren, where they were moved after the death of Charles Alexander of Lorraine, Governor General of the Habsburg Netherlands. The park's images have been affected by war, vandalism, and pollution over time. Many have been replaced with copies. The most valuable original images are housed in the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium in Brussels, while more damaged works and pieces of lesser quality reside in the Maison du Roi Museum. Initially, the images were painted gray or color-coordinated with French stone. It wasn't until 1921 that they were stripped under new aesthetic ideas, revealing their true beauty. This object is part of "Scan The World", a non-profit initiative introduced by MyMiniFactory to create a digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks, and landmarks from across the globe for public access. Scan The World is an open-source, community-driven effort. If you have interesting items around you and would like to contribute, email stw@myminifactory.com to learn how you can help.