Here stands a sculpture. This is the \u00d8rnen Sculpture. Let’s delve into a tale of art, mythology, and a Danish sculptor’s vision.
The \u00d8rnen Sculpture echoes stories of Ganymede. He was a handsome mortal boy. An eagle snatched him. He became cupbearer for the gods on Mount Olympus.
Bertel Thorvaldsen was a famous Danish sculptor. He worked mostly from Rome during the 19th century. He created several sculptures of Ganymede. One notable sculpture features Ganymede and the eagle of Jupiter, also known as Zeus.
In Greek and Roman mythology, Ganymede is usually considered a Trojan prince. Homer described him as the loveliest born of mortals. Zeus fell in love with Ganymede. The eagle of Zeus fetched Ganymede from Earth to Mount Olympus. He replaced Hebe as cupbearer. Ganymede was rewarded with immortality and eternal youth.
Ganymede is often portrayed as a beautiful youth in art. He attracted homosexual desire and love. The abduction of Ganymede is a popular theme in paintings. It allows artists to depict humans and animals in dramatic scenes.
Thorvaldsen’s Museum in Copenhagen has three marble Ganymede sculptures. One is Ganymede Offering the Cup from 1804. Another is Ganymede Filling the Cup from 1818. The last is Ganymede and the Eagle of Jupiter from 1817.
In Ganymede Offering the Cup, Ganymede holds a jug in his right hand. A full cup is in his left. He seems to offer the cup to the viewer. Or perhaps he intends to drink it himself.
Thorvaldsen later altered the sculpture. Ganymede is now actively filling the cup. His right arm is lifted high. His focus is on the cup. This creates a more dynamic pose.
Ganymede and the Eagle of Jupiter is the most impressive. The marble copy is thought to be by Thorvaldsen himself. The composition shows a peaceful scene. The eagle has a sharp beak and strong claws. Yet, the sculpture lacks drama and violence. Ganymede kneels. He pours the eagle a drink. They appear at peace. They are comfortable in each other’s presence. It is almost like a child with a puppy.
The scene shows a role reversal. Ganymede offers the eagle a drink. He shares his excess. He asks nothing in return.
Thorvaldsen was influenced by Friedrich Schiller. Schiller believed that cultured humans should respect nature. They should respect the welfare of other beings.
Thorvaldsen sculpted birds and eagles. These were often minor additions to main characters. He made an owl for Athena. He made peace doves. The Apostle John is accompanied by an eagle.
Bertel Thorvaldsen was a man of the people. His mother was a Jutland peasant. His father was a Copenhagen woodcarver from Iceland. He entered the Danish Royal Academy of Fine Arts. He received its gold medal and a three-year travel stipend.
In 1802, Thorvaldsen modeled his first great work. It was a Jason. Canova recognized its virtues. This established Thorvaldsen’s fame. Thomas Hope commissioned the Jason in marble. This allowed the young sculptor to remain in Rome.
Thorvaldsen returned to Denmark to die in 1838. He entered a period of his greatest production and fame. He became Europe’s greatest sculptor.
Every civilized home had photographs of his works. Many had a small plaster of the Lion of Lucerne. Some had photographs of Night and Day.
Thorvaldsen’s techniques of finishing marble became standard in the 19th century. He found the best of what he called “the skin of the marble”.
Thorvaldsen is calmly simple. He is realistic and strong. His works show orderly resolution. There is a curious rural naturalness and warmth. This makes Thorvaldsen the perfect illustrator of Anacreon. He brought to life again the ancient pastoral delights.
Thorvaldsen made five sculptures of Ganymede. In 1805, he began a standing figure of the child. He is holding out his filled goblet. In 1816, the Austrian consul at St. Petersburg commissioned a slightly different Ganymede. The youth is pouring the nectar. The most famous statue was commissioned in 1817. It showed Jupiter in the form of an eagle. He is receiving nectar from Ganymede’s cup.
George Granville Leveson Gower commissioned the Ganymede and the Eagle. The bust was done in 1828 and is now lost.
The Ganymede and the Eagle was noted as in progress in 1818. Earl Gower wrote that it had arrived safely in London in 1830.
And so, the \u00d8rnen Sculpture. It stands as a testament to Thorvaldsen’s artistry. It reminds us of the enduring power of mythology. It is a story etched in granite. It is a story to be contemplated.