Hercules and the Nemean Lion
Statuette
first quarter 16th century (made)
first quarter 16th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This sculpture representing the legend of Hercules and the Neamean Lion is made in the style of Giovanni Francesco Rustici in Florence in the first quarter of the 16th century.
Giovanni Francesco Rustici (1474-1554) is best known for his bronze group of the Preaching of the Baptist over the north door of the Baptistry in Florence (commissioned 1506; exhibited 1511). There is a tradition that during work on this group he was advised by Leonardo da Vinci, whose influence is reflected in a number of small terracotta groups of fighting horsemen and figures in the Museo Nazionale, Florence, and elsewhere. Rustici was also responsible for a series of terracotta roundels with mythological scenes in the Villa Salviati, Florence. About 1527-8 he left Florence for France, where he worked for the remainder of his life.
Hercules (Greek name is Heracles) is one of the most important heroes in Greek mythology. He was the son of Jupiter and Alcmena, a Theban princess. He is regarded as the embodiment of physical strength and courage.
His two main attributes are the club and the lion’s skin, which he won at his first labour. He had to undertake 12 labours as a penance for slaying his own children in an act of madness.
To defeat the Nemean lion was Hercules' first labour set to him by Eurystheus and where he had to bring the skin of an unvulnerable lion, which terrorised the hills around the city of Nemea.
Giovanni Francesco Rustici (1474-1554) is best known for his bronze group of the Preaching of the Baptist over the north door of the Baptistry in Florence (commissioned 1506; exhibited 1511). There is a tradition that during work on this group he was advised by Leonardo da Vinci, whose influence is reflected in a number of small terracotta groups of fighting horsemen and figures in the Museo Nazionale, Florence, and elsewhere. Rustici was also responsible for a series of terracotta roundels with mythological scenes in the Villa Salviati, Florence. About 1527-8 he left Florence for France, where he worked for the remainder of his life.
Hercules (Greek name is Heracles) is one of the most important heroes in Greek mythology. He was the son of Jupiter and Alcmena, a Theban princess. He is regarded as the embodiment of physical strength and courage.
His two main attributes are the club and the lion’s skin, which he won at his first labour. He had to undertake 12 labours as a penance for slaying his own children in an act of madness.
To defeat the Nemean lion was Hercules' first labour set to him by Eurystheus and where he had to bring the skin of an unvulnerable lion, which terrorised the hills around the city of Nemea.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
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| Title | Hercules and the Nemean Lion (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Bronze |
| Brief description | Statuette, bronze, Hercules and the Nemean Lion, in the style of Giovanni Francesco Rustici, Italy (Florence), first quarter of the 16th century |
| Physical description | Hercules, naked, the quiver belted around his waist, strides across the lion's back, pressing down its neck with his left knee and tearing open its jaws with both hands. In front, on the ground, which is steeply rounded, lies a short club with a wrist strap attached. Behind him, a massive bow and one arrow. |
| Dimensions |
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| Object history | From the Salting bequest. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This sculpture representing the legend of Hercules and the Neamean Lion is made in the style of Giovanni Francesco Rustici in Florence in the first quarter of the 16th century. Giovanni Francesco Rustici (1474-1554) is best known for his bronze group of the Preaching of the Baptist over the north door of the Baptistry in Florence (commissioned 1506; exhibited 1511). There is a tradition that during work on this group he was advised by Leonardo da Vinci, whose influence is reflected in a number of small terracotta groups of fighting horsemen and figures in the Museo Nazionale, Florence, and elsewhere. Rustici was also responsible for a series of terracotta roundels with mythological scenes in the Villa Salviati, Florence. About 1527-8 he left Florence for France, where he worked for the remainder of his life. Hercules (Greek name is Heracles) is one of the most important heroes in Greek mythology. He was the son of Jupiter and Alcmena, a Theban princess. He is regarded as the embodiment of physical strength and courage. His two main attributes are the club and the lion’s skin, which he won at his first labour. He had to undertake 12 labours as a penance for slaying his own children in an act of madness. To defeat the Nemean lion was Hercules' first labour set to him by Eurystheus and where he had to bring the skin of an unvulnerable lion, which terrorised the hills around the city of Nemea. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | A.77:0-1910 |
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| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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