Hercules and the Nemean Lion
Statuette
ca. 1600 (made)
ca. 1600 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
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.
This legend reflects Hercules' first labour set top him by Eurystheus, where he had to bring the skin of an unvulnerable lion, which terrorised the hills around the city of Nemea
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.
This legend reflects Hercules' first labour set top him by Eurystheus, 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 | |
| Title | Hercules and the Nemean Lion (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Bronze |
| Brief description | Statuette, Hercules and the Nemean Lion, bronze, attributed to Barthélémy Prieur (1536-1611), probably French, ca. 1600 |
| Physical description | Hercules is shown naked with strides across the lion's back and he tears open the beast's mouth with both hands. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Object history | From the Salting bequest. Links with a Palissy ceramic (Prieur was friends with Palissy). |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Association | |
| Summary | 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. This legend reflects Hercules' first labour set top him by Eurystheus, where he had to bring the skin of an unvulnerable lion, which terrorised the hills around the city of Nemea |
| Bibliographic references |
|
| Collection | |
| Accession number | A.82-1910 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
