Hercules (Atlas) Holding up the Heavens

In Greek mythology, Atlas, son of a Titan, had to hold up the heavens, represented here as a globe emblazoned with constellations and signs of the zodiac. When opened up, the globe contains a putto blowing bubbles, symbolizing the transience of all earthly existence in contrast to the eternity of the universe. The bearer figure might also be interpreted as Hercules, who carried the heavens in place of Atlas for a short time, while Atlas was fetching apples from the gardens of the Hesperides for him. In the baroque era, princes were frequently likened to Hercules, and the hero came to stand allegorically for rulers in a manner typical of the age. In the baroque period, Atlas as a figurative support for globes, armillary spheres and globe goblets became increasingly important.