Neptune at The Louvre, Paris

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The majestic marble sculpture of Neptune was masterfully crafted by Antoine Coysevox over two decades, commencing in Lyon in 1640 and culminating in Paris in 1720. As the Roman deity of freshwater and the sea, Neptune held revered status in Roman mythology. His counterpart in Greek lore is Poseidon, with whom he shares a deep affinity. In the Greek-influenced tradition, Neptune stands as the brother of Jupiter and Pluto, collectively overseeing the realms of Heaven, the earthly world, and the Underworld. By his side stood Salacia, his devoted consort. Roman mosaics, particularly those from North Africa, reflect Hellenistic conventions in their depictions of Neptune. It's likely that this god was initially associated with fresh water springs rather than the sea itself. Like Poseidon, Neptune was also revered by the Romans as a patron of horse-racing under the name Neptunus Equester.