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Statuette

Statuette

  • Place of origin:

    Florence, Italy (possibly, made)

  • Date:

    17th century (made)

  • Artist/Maker:

    Unknown (production)

  • Museum number:

    416-1854

  • Gallery location:

    In Storage

  • Download image

This statuette of gilt bronze depicting Hercules is by an unknown artist from Florence, Italy, from the 17th century.

Hercules is draped in the skin of the Nemean lion, bearing his club in his right hand and the golden apples of the Hesperides in his left.

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.

Physical description

Gilt bronze statuette of Hercules, draped in the skin of the Nemean lion, bearing his club in his right hand and the golden apples of the Hesperides in his left.

Place of Origin

Florence, Italy (possibly, made)

Date

17th century (made)

Artist/maker

Unknown (production)

Dimensions

Height: 8 in, Width: 6.75 in

Descriptive line

Statuette of Hercules, gilt bronze, Italian, 17th century

Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)

Inventory of Art Objects Acquired in the Year 1854. In: Inventory of the Objects in the Art Division of the Museum at South Kensington, Arranged According to the Dates of their Acquisition. Vol I. London: Printed by George E. Eyre and William Spottiswoode for H.M.S.O., 1868, p. 28.

Materials

Bronze

Techniques

Gilding

Subjects depicted

Lion; Hercules; Apples; Clubs (weapons)

Categories

Sculpture

Collection code

SCP

Download image
Qr_O87276
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