Hercules and Nessus
Group
19th century (made)
19th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
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.
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.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Hercules and Nessus (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Green serpentine (verde di Prato) |
| Brief description | Group, green Serpentine (verde di Prato), Hercules and the Centaur Nessus, a reduced copy after Giambologna's original, Italian, probably 19th century |
| Physical description | Hercules stands astride of the centaur, holding down his head with one hand and lifting in the other a weapon (broken off) to kill him. In the original group the lifted right arm holds a club and is in a different position. |
| Dimensions |
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| Object history | 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. Acquired at the Falcke sale, Christies, 1910, for £11 11s. |
| Historical context | Contemporary reductions of the group are not uncommon (one is in the Kaiser Friedrich Museum in Berlin). Serpentine copies of celebrated antique and Renaissance statues were made in the 19th century by the Serpentine Marble Company, the residue of whose products was sold at auction in London in 1859 at Christie, 28 July. |
| Production | seems to date from the 19th century |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | 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. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | A.2-1910 |
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| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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