Hermes and Athena in Groningen

About this artwork.

Hermes and Athena in Groningen was commissioned by the municipality of Groningen and painted by Egbert Modderman (born 1989). In honor of the renovated City Hall in 2022, it has been hung at the entrance of the Council Chamber. 

A classically tinted painting should of course hang in a neoclassical national monument. Greek gods of the past are depicted in a contemporary way against the background of the Groningen colors white and green. In the middle Athena (god of wisdom) and Hermes (god of commerce). They just married up here at the City Hall. Such a depiction of both gods has been called a Hermathena since classical antiquity and has since become a frequent theme in art history. In any case, it is the key to the success of Groningen: the fusion of the entrepreneurial spirit (Hanseatic city, industry, trade) and the high-quality education provided at the many knowledge institutions. Both have largely determined the identity of Groningen.

Hermes and Athena are accompanied here by their witnesses. On the left we see Artemis (the goddess of the night) and her companion Callisto. And on the right Apollo (the god of the day) and his beloved Hyakinthos. In fact, we see three versions of a happy partnership, as they are still being concluded day in and day out in Groningen.

Egbert Modderman is a painter and studied Spatial Design from 2007 to 2012 at the Minerva Academy in Groningen. From 2013 he took painting lessons in Groningen and in a short time already made portraits and still lifes for private individuals. Now he mainly focuses on universal themes of meaning on large canvases that people would not miss. Modderman paints figuratively with a dramatic approach, in which the theme comes from the Bible. His work shows true-to-life, life-sized characters against a sober background, who often look at the viewer. He only paints the attributes that are essential to the scene depicted. Modderman is mainly known for his works in the Martinikerk: the seven works of mercy.

Facts & Figures.

• Artist(s)
  Egbert Modderman

• Year of creation
  2022

• Dimensions (in cm)
  400x160

• Collection
  Town Hall Collection

• Technic
  Oil paint on linen