Ceres (Demeter in Greek mythology) is the goddess of agriculture, especially associated with corn; she was sometimes worshipped as the earth mother, the prime source of fertility. As the personification of earth's abundance she wears a crown of ears of corn and a cornucopia flowing with fruit and vegetables. The presence of Bacchus complements the idea of plenty. Bacchus is depicted as a naked youth wearing a crown of vine leaves and holding a thyrsus, a wand tipped with a pine cone (an ancient fertility symbol), which is twined with ivy (sacred to Bacchus). Carrier-Belleuse was one of the most famous and sought-after sculptors in France in the middle of the 19th century. He was born in Anizy-le-Chateau in Aisne. In 1840 he entered l'Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris to study under David d'Angers. He first exhibited at the Salon in 1851, where, in 1861 he won recognition with Salve Regina. In 1863, his marble, La Bacchante was the first of his works to really capture the public's imagination. In 1867 he received the Salon's medaille d'honneur for Le Messie and in the same year he was decorated with the Legion d'honneur. He held the post at the Sevres porcelain factory of director of artwork.