Hercules and the Nemean Lion
Plaquette
late 15th century to early 16th century (made)
late 15th century to early 16th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This medal depicting Hercules and the Nemean Lion is made by Moderno.
The Nemean lion was a monster in Greek mythology that lived at Nemea and terrorised the city. It was killed by Heracles as the first of his 12 labours. It had a golden fur and thus couldn't be killed conventionally but just by strangling it.
Moderno (Galeazzo Mondella) (1467-1528) is the pseudonym of this goldsmith and medallist active in North Italy and later in Rome. He signed certain pieces of his work with OPUS MODERNI (opus is the Latin term for 'work' - which then means 'work of the modern'). The modern here is referring to the Ancient World, in contrary to the Naturalism of the Gothic. His earliest works may date around 1485-1490, and his earliest dated work is 1490. Moderno specialised in small bronze plaquettes exploring religious or antique themes, and catered for a clientele of learned humanists.
The Nemean lion was a monster in Greek mythology that lived at Nemea and terrorised the city. It was killed by Heracles as the first of his 12 labours. It had a golden fur and thus couldn't be killed conventionally but just by strangling it.
Moderno (Galeazzo Mondella) (1467-1528) is the pseudonym of this goldsmith and medallist active in North Italy and later in Rome. He signed certain pieces of his work with OPUS MODERNI (opus is the Latin term for 'work' - which then means 'work of the modern'). The modern here is referring to the Ancient World, in contrary to the Naturalism of the Gothic. His earliest works may date around 1485-1490, and his earliest dated work is 1490. Moderno specialised in small bronze plaquettes exploring religious or antique themes, and catered for a clientele of learned humanists.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Hercules and the Nemean Lion (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Bronze |
| Brief description | Plaquette, bronze, Hercules and the Nemean Lion, by Moderno, North Italy, late 15th to early 16th century |
| Physical description | Hercules naked, kneels facing to the right, wrestling with the lion. |
| Dimensions |
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| Object history | From the Salting bequest. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This medal depicting Hercules and the Nemean Lion is made by Moderno. The Nemean lion was a monster in Greek mythology that lived at Nemea and terrorised the city. It was killed by Heracles as the first of his 12 labours. It had a golden fur and thus couldn't be killed conventionally but just by strangling it. Moderno (Galeazzo Mondella) (1467-1528) is the pseudonym of this goldsmith and medallist active in North Italy and later in Rome. He signed certain pieces of his work with OPUS MODERNI (opus is the Latin term for 'work' - which then means 'work of the modern'). The modern here is referring to the Ancient World, in contrary to the Naturalism of the Gothic. His earliest works may date around 1485-1490, and his earliest dated work is 1490. Moderno specialised in small bronze plaquettes exploring religious or antique themes, and catered for a clientele of learned humanists. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | A.439-1910 |
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| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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