Hera
Hera is the goddess of marriage, women, and family. She holds a revered place in Greek mythology as the queen of the twelve Olympians and the protector of women during childbirth. As the daughter of Titans Cronus and Rhea, and the sister and wife of Zeus, Hera is a formidable force to be reckoned with. The Greek Gods worked a lit differently. One of Hera's defining characteristics in myth is her intense jealousy and vengeful nature when dealing with any who offend her, particularly Zeus' numerous adulterous lovers and illegitimate offspring. Despite her sometimes fearsome reputation, Hera is also known for presiding over weddings, blessing and legalizing marital unions, and protecting women from harm during childbirth.
Hera is also a competitor, as seen in the race for the Golden Apple of Paris, where she vied for the title of the most beautiful woman, only to be defeated by Aphrodite. Her sacred animals include the cow, cuckoo, and the peacock, each symbolizing different aspects of her character and domain.
In Roman mythology, Hera is known as Juno, and her influence can be seen throughout history as a powerful symbol of marriage, women, and family. The story of Hera is a rich and fascinating one, and her presence in mythology remains a testament to her enduring power and importance.
Hera in full color by SRP more than 400 years later. Hendrick Goltzius truly made the most amazing engravings of his time, without color.
Name | Hera |
Artist | SRP |
Type | Graphic Design |
Style | Colorization |
Sizes | 7/7 Sizes Available |
Year | 2021 |
Edition | 7/7 Sizes Available |
Signature | Inscribed on the Back |
Extra | 1611 Print |
Artistical Background
Originally created by Hendrick Goltzius between 1595 and 1612 and printed by Willem Isaacz van Swanenburg. The after design was done by Michiel Jansz van Mierevelt and in 2021 Stephan Raymond Post redesigned, upscaled and colorized the amazing artwork of a the queen goddess of the Olympians. The image of Hera has gone through much editing, especially her hair and skin color. This print is only available in limited conditions. This is a modernized image of the 1612 projection of the goddess Hera.
How it was made
The colorization of Hera, goddess of marriage and queen of the Olympians, was a careful and deliberate process. The task was not easy, as there is a lot of conflicting information about what colors are associated with her. Eventually, it was decided that she would be draped in a red cloth, a fitting attribute for the occasion. The color red was chosen to "make hearts beat faster," symbolizing romance of marriage.
Hera is on her way to obtain the Golden Apple of Paris, a competition that left her feeling quite jealous after she, along with Athena, saw it go past them to Aphrodite. Hera's veil is classic white, symbolizing marriage, and is bound to a silvery ornament on her head. Her shining brown-blond hair is adorned with green marbles, representing fertility, and given extra highlights to make her appearance more radiant. Hera's skin tone is also derived from the planet Venus and has been filtered and polished over many hours to adhere to her paleness without making her too pale. She is accompanied by her green and blue peacock, a main attribute of Hera. As the queen of the Olympians, she is always accompanied by brilliant light, signaling her approach.
Although the artwork is associated with the Golden Apple of Paris, the goal was to make it more about Hera herself and move away from the competition. This engraving, originally made by Hendrick Goltzius, is by far the best and most detailed depiction of the goddess of marriage. The words at the bottom are a promise to Paris, left untranslated so that owners can do some interesting research themselves.
The original etch made by the Dutch draftsman and painter Hendrick Goltzius between 1595 and 1612 was also very small. The original work is 24.7 x 14.3cm. As you can see without color.
