Thursday, June 14, 2012

Louvre - Hippomenes et Atalanta



Photographing these sculptures in Cour Marly at the Louvre on my last visit,
I recalled having seen them in a different setting. 


First, the story:

From Greek mythology, Atalanta was a huntress who agreed to marry any man that could outrun her in a race.  Hippomenes fell in love with her and prayed to Aphrodite to help him.  In response she gave him three irresistible gold apples to help him in the race.  As they ran, Hippomenes tossed the apples at intervals to distract Atalanta therefore winning the race and her hand in marriage.


Now, the other sighting:

In the frozen cold of December, these Greek heroes were racing on a frozen pond of Jardin des Tuileries as I noted in a post of February 3, 2011.



Cour Marly, Louvre
75001, Paris

23 comments:

Sylvia K said...

Love the story and love your captures! Wonderful post for the day, Genie! I do love being able to visit Paris again through your photos! Hope your week is going well, mon amie!

Hugs
Sylvia

martinealison said...

Aujourd'hui peut-être que sans la glace, la course est meilleure!!! Gros bisous

Jane and Lance Hattatt said...

Hello Genie:
How splendid to be reminded this morning of that wonderfully romantic story. And such lovely images [as always!].

Ann said...

What a wonderful story behind a very beautiful sculpture. Thanks for sharing.

PeterParis said...

With sculptures, it's diificult to know what is an original and what is a "copy". But I guess that the ones in the garden are "copies ... as many of them! Anyhow, both are beuatiful! :-)

M said...

How wonderful to know the story behind the statues! Lovely photos (as always)!

Joe said...

Wonderful image of these very fine sculptures. Thanks for informing us of the mythology.

Shell Sherree said...

Golden apples would distract me, too! The statues convey the story beautifully, Genie.

Jana said...

Thanks for the story, it makes the statue pictures so much more interesting...Thanks

Malyss said...

Running for ever.. Your two pictures are really beautiful, and it's good to see snow when it's hot outside! :o)

Anonymous said...

I love this story and the images are beautiful. :)

Clueless in Boston said...

Does the myth mean it takes trickery to win the woman of your dreams, or you need gold to keep her interested?

Loree said...

I do not remember seeing these 2 sculptures at the Louvre. But then, we saw some many works of art that it got really confusing. The Louvre was not made to be seen in a day.

Alexa said...

This shot is beautifully composed, Genie—and I'm happy to see this wonderful picture of the frozen Tuileries again.

Randy said...

Amazing sculpture.

Lisa Farmer Designs said...

Hi, I am your newest follower and so envious. You are living my dream. I so hope to travel there someday and actually live there if possible. For now I will tag along with you. Thanks and have a wonderful weekend!!

Genie -- Paris and Beyond said...

Peter, it has been a challenge to identify sculptures in the parks and you are always a wonderful resource. I would imagine that the originals are in the Louvre and that these are copies.

Clueless in Boston, there is much more to this story. Actually, she was an incredible athlete and probably wanted to be caught. She probably could have scooped up the gold apples and still beat him. If you read the mythology, the rest of the story was not as good and (excuse the pun) it was all downhill after the race.

Thanks for noticing the snow and ice. I did think that this was a refreshing view on what has been a very warm week.

Lisa, thank you for your kind comment and I hope that you will visit regularly.

Bises,
Genie

Cezar and Léia said...

These are beautiful sculptures, with a feeling of motion!
Have a nice weekend!
Léia

This is Belgium said...

I have always loooved greek mythology
they were great !
and today they need even more inspiration ;)
great photos
anni

Harriet said...

Thanks for the story-line. Mr. Clueless in Boston makes interesting observations...

Starman said...

The Louvre has so much art, they move it around and never show all of it at once because they don't have enough space.

PerthDailyPhoto said...

What an amazing sight Genie, I looooove Jardin des Tuileries , but I have never seen it like this, magical!

BriGt said...

woww that shot with the frost... is brilliant !! luve it :)