A Glimpse of Mythology Above Grand Central Station: The Watchful Hermes

I’m standing here at the entrance to Grand Central Station on 42nd Street and Park Avenue, admiring the statue of the god Hermes, also known as Mercury, that stands on top of the pediment.

I met a friend at Grand Central station today and decided to do a quick, impromptu art history lesson.

As I navigate the bustling streets of Manhattan, New York, I find myself standing amidst a cacophony of the city's rhythm. There, at the intersection of 42nd Street and Park Avenue, in front of the iconic Grand Central Station, I pause and raise my eyes to the architectural marvel that is the terminus building. Perched atop this historic landmark is an impressive, grand sculpture that seizes my attention — the radiant figure of the Greek god Hermes, or as the Romans would say, Mercury.

Clip Art: Classical Sculpture Depicting Poseidon (Neptune)

The image is of the Greek God (in Roman myth known as Neptune) holding his legendary trident and standing on a craggy precipice overlooking the sea, his domain.

Source note: From Bilderbuch für Kinder : enthaltend eine angenehme Sammlung von Thieren, Pflanzen, Blumen, Fruchten, Mineralien, Trachten und allerhand andern unterrichtenden Gegenstanden aus dem Reiche der natur, der Kunste und Wissenschaften. (Weimar, Germany : Industrie-Comptoir, 1792-1843) Bertuch, Friedrich Justin (1747-1822), Author. Content: Written on border: "1. Neptune ; 2. Ceres ; 3-5 Apollo ; Drawn 1801s." Originally scanned by the New York Public Library (Digital Collections). The image is in the public domain.

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Clip Art: The Goddess Diana (Artemis) with a Stag

This public domain image depicts the goddess Diana (or, Artemis) with a stag. Diana, the goddess of the moon and the hunt, is known as Artemis by the Greeks.

The image comes from page 94 of "Mythology: Illustrated Chiefly from the Myths and Legends of Greece (Chambers's Elementary Science Manuals) by A.S. Murray (Senior Assistant in the Department of Greek and Roman Antiquities, British Museum). Published by W. & R. Chambers, London and Edinburgh (1876)". Image source: First scanned by Google Books (books.google.com). Find more of my stuff on TpT.

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Clip Art: Psyche and Cupid (Amor)

Although forbidden to do so, Psyche is urged by her sisters and her own curiosity to gaze upon the sleeping form of her lover.

Silhouette still image — in the public domain scanned by the New York Public Library (Digital Collections). 1922.

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