A New Prometheus

The God of Fire rises again (this time in bronze).

by Tom Johansmeyer

Legend has it that Zeus punished Prometheus for bringing fire to mortals in particularly gruesome fashion, ordering his liver torn out daily by a spectacularly irate bird of prey. Chained to his rock, poor Prometheus probably regretted his decision -- although if he had a particularly fine cigar, he could have enjoyed at least a small benefit of his trespass.

The emotions inherent in such a scene – no matter how allegorical -- powered the decision to make Prometheus the namesake and 'face' of God of Fire cigars. And it was that Prometheus logo -- prominently displayed on a catalogue -- that inspired artist Julio Aguilera while on a stroll in 2006 through New York's De La Concha.

That night, Aguilera went home and drew furiously in his sketchbook. It was nearly two years, though, before he was ready to unveil his creation to friend (and De La Concha general manager) Ron Melendi, who swung by the artist's West New York, NJ studio for a look.

"It was 'Prometheus,'" Melendi recalls, "no doubt about it." Though still in clay, the detail was already laid down -- sinewy muscles resisting the vicious bird's assault contrasted with heavy chains binding the Titan’s hands.

"I was intrigued," says. Keith Park, owner of Prometheus International and the man Melendi called after seeing the sculpture. "I knew I had to see it." Park shared the photos with Carlito Fuente, the master blender behind God of Fire, and both cigar industry leaders agreed to participate in the project.

On September 13, 2008, Aguilera's God of Fire will be unveiled for the first time at the God of Fire dinner, standing 23 inches tall and weigh close to 80 pounds (and signed by Park, Fuente and the artist). Scheduled for auction at the dinner, the sculpture's proceeds will benefit the Cigar Family Foundation, an organization committed to building schools for underprivileged children.