Hermes is depicted holding the infant Dionysus. The statue is considered to be a work of the sculptor Praxiteles of the 4th c. BC. and it is renowned as the "Hermes of Praxiteles".  It was made of Parian marble. The sculpture depicts a certain episode of Dionysus' life: his flee with the aid of Hermes and his surrender to the Nymphs on Zeus' command, in order to be raised safely, away from Hera's jealousy. Dionysus is sitting on Hermes' left hand, probably looking at the bunch of grapes that the god was holding with the other hand. The two gods are naked. Hermes wears sandals and holds a himation in his left hand. Dionysus wears a taenia (headband).