The Abduction of Ganymede
by GEEL, Jan Frans van, Terracotta, height 28 cm
The present work, a small-scale terracotta, depicts the mythological story of the abduction of Ganymede. Jupiter, who despite his wife Juno’s complaints could not help give in to the occasional crush, fell head over heels for the young Ganymede, the most beautiful of mortals. While Ganymede was tending sheep on mount Ida, near Troy, Jupiter turned himself into an eagle – his characteristic animal – and abducted him to serve as cup-bearer in Olympus.