The Earth at The Palace of Versailles, France

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This marble sculpture titled 'Earth' is a statue by Benoit Massou (1633-1684), sculpted between 1675-1681. He was responsible for many of the sculptures in the park and gardens around the Palace of Versailles. As part of the team led by Charles Le Brun, the first painter to the king, he helped compose the layout of the field. This piece is one of a series of sculptures in the Gardens of the Palace of Versailles depicting one of the four elements. The sculpture depicts the allegorical figure of the personification of Earth (a common theme in romanticism). Many examples can be found at The Palace of Versailles, Albert Memorial and similar sculptures made in the 1800s. She holds a cornucopia in her left hand, beside her right leg is a lion symbolizing the king of animals. She is also crowned with flowers and fruits. Since 2008, the original was placed inside the lower gallery of Versailles, while a copy remains in its gardens. This sculpture is part of the Grande Commande series, commissioned by King Louis XIV in 1674 for the Gardens of Versailles. The initial project was proposed in 1674 with plans drawn up by Charles Le Brun to depict 24 sculptures. The idea was to create a broad review of God's effects on the world and a unity of man and nature through personifications of natural phenomena and landmarks. The 24 sculptures were divided into four series, each consisting of six statues. They include: the Four Times of the Day - Morning, Midday, Evening, Night; the Four Continents of the World - Europe, Asia, Africa, America; the Four Seasons - Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter; and the Four Elements - Earth, Air, Fire, Water.