Stiftung Preussische Schlösser und Gärten, GK I 8143. At 240 square meters (= 2,583 square feet), this is the largest canvas ceiling painting north of the Alps. The chief changes between van Loo's preliminary sketch (shown below) and the final execution of the ceiling painting are the addition of Hebe and Hephaestus as well as the covering of the cartouche with a green cloth. These changes were surely made at Friedrich's direction. The addition of Hebe has been interpreted as a nod to Friedrich's beloved sister, Wilhelmine. The covering of his initials was seen by contemporaries as indicative of Friedrich's modesty. In Greek mythology, Zeus made Ganymede cupbearer to the gods at Olympus, supplanting Hebe.
The preliminary oil sketch lacks Hebe and Hephaestus, and the initials FR are visible on the shield borne by angels.Hebe and Hephaestus have been added, and Frederick's initials on the shield borne by angels have been covered up.The shield with Friedrich's initials is draped with a green cloth.
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Captions
The Induction of Ganymede in Olympus (1768). Oil on canvas, ceiling painting, 240 square meters (2,583 square feet). Marble Hall Neues Palais, Potsdam