Gaea Bronze sculpture by Gerhard Marcks, 1965. Displayed at the Rheinpark, Cologne, Germany. Photo by HOWI, 2007 via Wikimedia Commons (X) License: CC BY-SA 3.0
Gerhard Marcks was a German artist known for his sculpture, ceramics, woodcuts, lithographs, and drawings. He taught at the Bauhaus and other highly-regarded schools of the arts. His works were declared “degenerate” by the Nazi regime in 1937; around two dozen pieces were confiscated and destroyed, and Marcks was prohibited from working or exhibiting. After WWII, Marcks resumed teaching until his retirement.
Orphic Hymn 26 to Gaia
Divine Gaia, mother of men and of the blessed gods, you nourish all, you give all, you bring all to fruition, and you destroy all. When the season is fair you are heavy with fruits and growing blossoms; and, O multiform maiden, you are the seat of the immortal cosmos, and in the pains of labor you bring forth fruit of all kinds. Eternal, reverend, deep-bosomed, and blessed, you delight in the sweet breath of grass, O goddess bedecked with flowers. Yours is the joy of the rain, and round you the intricate realm of the stars revolves in endless and awesome flow. But, O blessed goddess, may you multiply the gladsome fruits and, together with the beautiful seasons, grant me favor.
- translation by Apostolos N. Athanassakis
Today, 22 April, is International Earth Day! Take a moment to honor Gaea (Roman: Tellus Mater or Terra Mater), goddess of the Earth and Mother of the gods
