Ceres

About this artwork.

Good to know: Ceres, Mecury and Neptune have been temporarily removed due to restoration work.

The Korenbeurs, the name says it all, was the place where grain was traded. The current stock exchange building dates from 1865. Three statues of ancient gods have been placed in and on the neoclassical facade.
 
On the ridge of the Korenbeurs stands Mercury, the god of trade, but also of thieves. Mercury stands for the element mercury. That this god was able to perform his role as dealer or thief just as quickly as the elusive mercury is what underline his attributes. On his head he wears a winged helmet and in his hand he holds the herald staff, wound with snakes and given wings. At his feet lies a globe.

To the left of the entrance is Neptune, god of water. To the right is Ceres, goddess of agriculture. Neptune can be recognised by his trident. With his left hand he holds the leash of the seahorse that lies at his feet, thus making his dominion over the water and what lives in it known. Ceres also has a number of attributes by which she can be identified. She holds a corn ear and at her feet there is a basket for the corn and a harrow to work the land. Together, these three figures symbolise the significance of trade, shipping and agriculture for the city of Groningen.
 
The statues, which stand at over two metres high, are cast in zinc. A technique that came into use at the end of the nineteenth century because it was cheaper than bronze and stronger than cast iron. The statues were designed by Philip Enthoven, a member of the company L.J. Enthoven & Co. from The Hague, which was responsible for the casting. He put his name on the seahorse.

Facts & Figures.

• Design
  Philip Enthoven

• District
  Centrum

• Year of creation
  1865

• Art type
  Art in / on a building

• Material
  Zinc

• Dimensions
  h 2,25 m