Hercules and Nessus
- Object:
Group
- Place of origin:
Italy (made)
- Date:
19th century (made)
- Artist/Maker:
Giambologna, born 1519 - died 1608 (reduced copy after his original, sculptor)
- Materials and Techniques:
Green serpentine (verde di Prato)
- Museum number:
A.2-1910
- Gallery location:
In Storage
This is a reduced and modified copy of the original Hercules and Nessus group by Giambologna, executed in 1599, in the Loggia dei Lanzi at Florence.
It is probably dating from the 19th century.
Contemporary reductions of the group are not uncommon (one is in the Kaiser Friedrich Museum in Berlin).
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.
Nessus was a centaur. On a journey Hercules and Deianiera came to a river, where Nessus wad the ferryman and tried to delight her. When Hercules realised he sent his bow and slew Nessus. When dying he told Deianiera to collect his blood as it would one day help her as a love elixir. Anyone who would wear a garment rubbed with the blood would love her forever.
Giambologna (ca. 1524-1608) (Giovanni Bologna) was born in Flanders. Giambologna went to Rome to study antique sculpture from about 1550 to 1553. He then travelled through Florence where he was persuaded to stay. He became sculptor to the Medici family and thus became one of the most influential sculptors of the late 16th and early 17th centuries. He drew attention to many artists from Northern Europe and disseminated his style mainly through small bronzes. He established an efficient and large workshop.
