Detail of Hygeia Statue, St Bernard's Well

Category

Library Item

Item no

17747

Title

Detail of Hygeia Statue, St Bernard's Well

Description

A close-up of a statue of a female figure, the goddess Hygeia showing a hand holding onto an upturned vase. The vessel is being held on its side on top of a stone pillar. A sculpted snake is coiled around the column and its head reaches up to the vase. The thumb on the figure's hand is damaged and broken off at the tip.

Artist / maker

MacLean, Kevin

Date

2008

Type

Digital image

St Bernard's Well is situated on the Water of Leith close to Stockbridge. The current surrounding structure was designed by Alexander Naismyth and built in the 1790's. It has a domed ceiling supported by ten columns covering a statue of the goddess Hygeia. Water from the mineral spring was popular for its supposed health giving properties from the mid 18th century until the wells closure in 1940.

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Related subjects

Animals > Reptiles > Snakes

Architecture > Monuments > Statues

Furnishings > Ornamentation > Vases

Places > Edinburgh areas > Water of Leith

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

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