Antique patinated bronze sculpture depicting Hebe with Jupiter's eagle signed "DRUOT". 19th century.

Patinated bronze sculpture signed Druot representing Hebe with Jupiter's eagle.

This beautiful girl is Hebe, daughter of Zeus and Hera.

She is the mother's handmaiden and cupbearer of the gods with the task of serving nectar and ambrosia, which ensure eternal youth to the Olympians.

Hebe is therefore the very personification of flourishing youth, which the Romans identified in the Goddess Iuventas, the protector of adolescents.

One fine day on Olympus, Hebe is serving the gods when she slips to earth.

The dress opens and slips off; the girl remains naked before the “scandalized” onlookers.

No one has a word of comfort for her, instead she receives only disapproving looks.

Zeus takes the opportunity to remove her from her duties as cupbearer.

This role will be filled by Ganymede, the beautiful Trojan prince that Zeus himself had kidnapped some time before, taking the form of an eagle (note the painting, bottom right).

Hebe will instead marry Heracles.

For the hero, who has become a demigod at the end of his labors, marriage to the girl will mean access to immortality.

General Conditions: Good Condition.

Provenance: 19th century France.