Statue of Hera

myminifactory

The Borghese Collection is renowned for its impressive array of Roman sculptures, masterful works by old masters, and contemporary art assembled by the illustrious Roman Borghese family. Hera reigns supreme as the embodiment of femininity and matrimony within the realm of Greek mythology and spirituality. As the offspring of Titans Cronus and Rhea, Hera's marital bond is forged with her brother Zeus, solidifying her position as the Queen of Heaven. Hera's reputation precedes her, marked by a propensity for jealousy and vengeance against Zeus's paramours, their offspring, and any mortals who dare cross her path. The majestic goddess is often depicted alongside the animals she deems sacred, including the regal cow, powerful lion, and resplendent peacock. Typically portrayed in stately grandeur, enthroned, and adorned with a majestic polos (a high cylindrical crown worn by several of the Great Goddesses), Hera may hold a pomegranate in her hand, a symbol of fertile life and death, as well as a substitute for the opium poppy's narcotic capsule. Greek mythology scholar Walter Burkert notes in his work "Greek Religion," "Despite this, there exist remnants of an earlier representation devoid of iconic form, manifesting as a pillar in Argos and a plank in Samos."