Jason

myminifactory

In the Renaissance gardens, earthly paradises of classical mythology often took center stage. Jason's story is deeply intertwined with the sacred grove of the Golden Fleece and the Garden of the Hesperides, making him a natural fit for garden sculpture. This very statue once stood proudly in a portico within the garden of Florence's Palazzo Stiozzi-Ridolfi. Despite being one of Greece's most renowned heroes, Jason is surprisingly underrepresented in Renaissance art. Given the era's revival of interest in classical art and literature, it's puzzling that he doesn't appear as frequently as other Greek heroes like Hercules. The story of Jason was first immortalized in writing around 200 BC by Alexandrian poet Apollonius of Rhodes. According to the epic poem Argonautica written by Apollonius, Jason led the brave Argonauts on their perilous quest to capture the Golden Fleece from Aeetes, the powerful King of Colchis on the Black Sea. The king's daughter Medea fell deeply in love with Jason and, through her mastery of magic, helped him overcome numerous mortal dangers and secure the fleece, which hung precariously from a tree branch guarded by a ferocious dragon. Victorious but short-sighted, Jason abandoned Medea and married a Greek woman, prompting Medea to seek revenge. This captivating tale is now showcased in The Paul and Jill Ruddock Gallery's Medieval & Renaissance section, Room 50a. This remarkable object is part of "Scan The World," a groundbreaking initiative launched by MyMiniFactory. Scan the World aims to create a comprehensive digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks, and landmarks from around the globe for public access at no cost. It's an open-source community effort; if you have intriguing items nearby and want to contribute, simply email stw@myminifactory.com to learn how you can join in. The object was meticulously scanned using photogrammetry and processed with Agisoft PhotoScan courtesy of the esteemed Victoria and Albert Museum, London.