Morning View - Hercules, Mercury, Minerva

Created in 1914 by French sculptor Jules-Alexis Coutan, the three statues that grace the top of Grand Central Terminal were the largest sculptural group of the time. Hercules (god of physical energy) and Minerva (goddess of moral energy) flank Mercury, the god of commerce. The giant eagle behind Mercury represents America. The entire piece stands 48 feet high. Mercury, whose fey pose amuses many, is 28 feet high with 9 feet arms. I grabbed this photo yesterday as I attempted in vain to sneak a photo of the nearby steam pipe explosion site. This here pic embiggens mightily.