Statuette
17th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
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.
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.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | |
| Brief description | Statuette of Hercules, gilt bronze, Italian, 17th century |
| 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. |
| Dimensions |
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| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | 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. |
| Bibliographic reference | 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. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 416-1854 |
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| Record created | December 15, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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