GRAND CENTRAL - NYC
Glory of Commerce
A large clock and stone sculptural group adorning the building's facade Glory of Commerce, a sculptural group by Jules-Félix Coutan.
The Glory of Commerce sculptural group rests atop the terminal's facade, directly above a broken pediment featuring a large clock.
The work is also known as Progress with Mental and Physical Force or Transportation. It is about 15 m tall, 20 m wide, and weighs about 1,500 short tons (1,400 t).
The work includes representations of Minerva, Hercules, and Mercury. The sculptures were designed by French sculptor Jules-Félix Coutan and carved by the John Donnelly Company. Coutan created the model in his Paris studio and shipped it to New York City later.
Mercury is standing at the top center of the work, depicted traditionally with a caduceus and wearing a winged helmet, with loose drapery concealing otherwise complete nudity.
He is standing in a contrapposto pose in front of an eagle, wings outstretched, peering around his right leg. Two other gods are depicted to Mercury's left and right: the male figure to his right is typically and officially deemed to be Hercules, though he lacks the god's characteristic club and lionskin. Instead, the god is depicted among an anchor, cogwheel, anvil and hammer, a beehive, grapes, wheat ears and a sickle. Many of these are symbols of Vulcan, who is depicted with Minerva and Mercury in other works. He is also nearly naked, staring at Mercury above him. The female figure, Minerva, is resting her head on her left arm, looking down at a roll of parchment on her lap. She is depicted among a globe, a measuring compass, volumes of books and thick wreaths of laurel.
GRAND CENTRAL - NYC
Glory of Commerce
A large clock and stone sculptural group adorning the building's facade Glory of Commerce, a sculptural group by Jules-Félix Coutan.
The Glory of Commerce sculptural group rests atop the terminal's facade, directly above a broken pediment featuring a large clock.
The work is also known as Progress with Mental and Physical Force or Transportation. It is about 15 m tall, 20 m wide, and weighs about 1,500 short tons (1,400 t).
The work includes representations of Minerva, Hercules, and Mercury. The sculptures were designed by French sculptor Jules-Félix Coutan and carved by the John Donnelly Company. Coutan created the model in his Paris studio and shipped it to New York City later.
Mercury is standing at the top center of the work, depicted traditionally with a caduceus and wearing a winged helmet, with loose drapery concealing otherwise complete nudity.
He is standing in a contrapposto pose in front of an eagle, wings outstretched, peering around his right leg. Two other gods are depicted to Mercury's left and right: the male figure to his right is typically and officially deemed to be Hercules, though he lacks the god's characteristic club and lionskin. Instead, the god is depicted among an anchor, cogwheel, anvil and hammer, a beehive, grapes, wheat ears and a sickle. Many of these are symbols of Vulcan, who is depicted with Minerva and Mercury in other works. He is also nearly naked, staring at Mercury above him. The female figure, Minerva, is resting her head on her left arm, looking down at a roll of parchment on her lap. She is depicted among a globe, a measuring compass, volumes of books and thick wreaths of laurel.