Statue of Jupiter, Seated 1754 - 1765

Hubert Robert made this sketch, titled "Statue of Jupiter, Seated." Robert was working during a time when the ruins of classical antiquity were being rediscovered and reinterpreted. This drawing of Jupiter is not just an image of a god, but an exploration of power, authority, and the human relationship to divinity. Notice how Robert portrays Jupiter. He is not just a figure of strength, but one of contemplation. There's a tension between the god's muscular physique and his serene pose. The drawing invites us to consider the nature of leadership and the burdens of power. Is Jupiter a ruler who leads with wisdom, or one who imposes his will through force? What might it mean to depict a god in such a human way, grappling with the weight of his own authority?