Hebe and the Eagle of Jupiter

In classical mythology, Hebe was the Greek goddess of youth and young brides and the cupbearer to the Olympian gods. She was also the daughter of Zeus (Jupiter) and Hera (Juno), king and queen of the gods. As cupbearer she served ambrosia, a drink that reinforced immortality, at feasts on Mount Olympus, home of the gods. In this sensuous tabletop sculpture, Albert Ernest Carrier-Belleuse depicts her serving the great golden eagle, Jupiter’s personal messenger and animal companion, who holds Jupiter’s symbol, a thunderbolt, between his claws.