Hercules and the Lion
Group
18th century (made)
18th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This bronze group represents Hercules and the Nemean Lion. The group, which was acquired as an anonymous French 18th century work, corresponds with a terracotta model by Rudolph Kaplunger in the Museum am Alten Garten at Schwerin.
The bronze is cast in two main parts, which are attached across the wrists of the main figure. The forelegs of the lion and other projecting areas are cast separately.
The legend of Hercules and the Nemean Lion, reflects Hercules’ first labour set to him by Eurystheus, where he had to bring the skin of an unvulnerable lion, which terrorised the hills around the city of Nemea.
The bronze is cast in two main parts, which are attached across the wrists of the main figure. The forelegs of the lion and other projecting areas are cast separately.
The legend of Hercules and the Nemean Lion, reflects Hercules’ first labour set to 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 Lion (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Bronze |
| Brief description | Group, bronze, Hercules and the Lion, after Stefano Maderno, French, 18th century |
| Physical description | Hercules stands astride the lion, forcing open its jaws with his two hands. The lion is shown rolling over on its left side. The bronze is cast in two main parts, which are attached across the wrists of the main figure. The forelegs of the lion and other projecting areas are cast separately. Tail broken and repaired. |
| Dimensions |
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| Object history | From the Webb bequest, for £9, bought at Christies, July 22nd, 1954, Lot 21. The group was formerly thought to be possibly by Kaplunger Rudolph. Historical significance: The group, which was acquired as an anonymous French 18th century work, corresponds with a terracotta model by Rudolph Kaplunger in the Museum am Alten Garten at Schwerin. |
| Production | formerly thought to be possibly by Kaplunger Rudolph |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This bronze group represents Hercules and the Nemean Lion. The group, which was acquired as an anonymous French 18th century work, corresponds with a terracotta model by Rudolph Kaplunger in the Museum am Alten Garten at Schwerin. The bronze is cast in two main parts, which are attached across the wrists of the main figure. The forelegs of the lion and other projecting areas are cast separately. The legend of Hercules and the Nemean Lion, reflects Hercules’ first labour set to him by Eurystheus, where he had to bring the skin of an unvulnerable lion, which terrorised the hills around the city of Nemea. |
| Bibliographic reference | Dettmann, Gerhard, in: Belvedere, 8, 1929, pp. 150-4 and pp. 185-7; and 11, 1932, pp. 145 f. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | A.39-1954 |
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| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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