Inspired by ancient Greek forms and motifs. Handcrafted by Antonis Palles, official supplier of Acropolis Museum.
“THE BIRTH OF HELEN
According to an ancient legend from the Euripidian tragedy ‘Helen’ (vs. 17 and 252), the supreme god Zeus fell passionately in love with the beautiful Leda, wife of king Tyndareus of Sparta. Zeus transformed himself into a pale white swan fleeing from an eagle and took refuge into the arms of Leda. This secret, erotic union of god and mortal took place on the small rocky islet of Pefnos, near the coast. As a result, Leda produced an egg and this famous egg led to the birth of the Dioscuri twins Castor and Pollux, as well as the ‘Beautiful Helen’, destined to be the wife of Menelaus, Paris and the unfortunate Troy.
In ancient times, bronze statues of the Dioscuri were erected on the islet of Pefnos, while to-day a modern work of art – depicting the union of Swan/Zeus with Leda – is being placed on the same spot.
Petros Themelis”