Mercury - Versailles, France
Posted by: 
Metro2
N 48° 48.292 E 002° 06.987
31U E 435123 N 5406140
Mercury is the Roman God of Trade and also served as the Messenger of the Gods.
Waymark Code: WMCZXH
Location: Île-de-France, France
Date Posted: 10/31/2011
Views: 14
This 1685 marble sculpture is entitled "Mercure Farnese". The "Farnese" of the title suggests that the piece was once in the Farnese family collection in Rome. Mercury, the god of merchants and merhcandise, was also known for his speed- thus, he was also the messenger of the other Gods...and the 1st planet in our solar system is named after him. The element mercury is also named after him due to its volatile nature.
Read more about him at (
visit link)
This statue depicts Mercury undressed and casually leaned against a post with a cloth flowing conveniently over his private parts. He carries his trademark Caduceus in his right hand...and perhaps it's sheath in his left. He also wears a winged helmet.
The artist is Barthelemy de Melo.