Hercules (formerly known as Pompey the Younger)
Plaque
ca. 1750 - ca. 1800 (made)
ca. 1750 - ca. 1800 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
The head of a beardless youth is depicted in profile facing right with a club behind him, with a Greek inscription, 'Gnaios'. The subject is ultimately derived from an ancient beryl intaglio depicting the young Hercules, which is now in the British Museum (inv. no. 1867, 0507.318). This was often reproduced in the 18th and 19th centuries, in both engravings and in sculpted forms. It is inscribed with the name of the carver, Gnaios, who was later confused with Gnaeus or Cnaeus Pompeius (75-45 BCE), known as Pompey the Younger. For this reason the subject of the gem was thought to be Pompey the Younger, who was himself on occasion confused with his father, known as Pompey the Great, sometimes portrayed as Hercules with his club. It was later realized that the name Gnaios was in fact the signature of the artist, rather than the name of the subject, and that the club did indeed refer to the subject as Hercules. The present ivory seems likely to be based on an engraving, rather than on a gem. It is interesting and puzzling that the vertical format of the gem and of the engraved versions was changed to the more horizontal shape seen here. Possibly this was because it was designed to be set onto a piece of furniture or smaller cabinet. The neo-classical style suggests this ivory was probably made in Italy in the second half of the 18th century. A similar ivory version (though oval in shape0 is in a private collection in Dieppe (December 2017).
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Title | Hercules (formerly known as Pompey the Younger) (generic title) |
Materials and techniques | Ivory |
Brief description | Plaque relief, ivory, Hercules (formerly known as Cnaeus Pompey), unknown artist, probably Italy, ca. 1750-1800 |
Physical description | The head of a classical beardless youth is shown in profile, facing right depicting Hercules. He has short curly hair and is cleanshaven. A club is shown behind him carved in low relief. A Greek inscription underneath. |
Dimensions |
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Marks and inscriptions | 'GNAIOS' [in Greek lettering] |
Credit line | Given by Professor J. Hull Grundy and Mrs. Ann Hull Grundy |
Object history | Given by Professor J. Hull Grundy and Mrs. Ann Hull Grundy, in 1978. |
Subjects depicted | |
Summary | The head of a beardless youth is depicted in profile facing right with a club behind him, with a Greek inscription, 'Gnaios'. The subject is ultimately derived from an ancient beryl intaglio depicting the young Hercules, which is now in the British Museum (inv. no. 1867, 0507.318). This was often reproduced in the 18th and 19th centuries, in both engravings and in sculpted forms. It is inscribed with the name of the carver, Gnaios, who was later confused with Gnaeus or Cnaeus Pompeius (75-45 BCE), known as Pompey the Younger. For this reason the subject of the gem was thought to be Pompey the Younger, who was himself on occasion confused with his father, known as Pompey the Great, sometimes portrayed as Hercules with his club. It was later realized that the name Gnaios was in fact the signature of the artist, rather than the name of the subject, and that the club did indeed refer to the subject as Hercules. The present ivory seems likely to be based on an engraving, rather than on a gem. It is interesting and puzzling that the vertical format of the gem and of the engraved versions was changed to the more horizontal shape seen here. Possibly this was because it was designed to be set onto a piece of furniture or smaller cabinet. The neo-classical style suggests this ivory was probably made in Italy in the second half of the 18th century. A similar ivory version (though oval in shape0 is in a private collection in Dieppe (December 2017). |
Bibliographic references |
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Collection | |
Accession number | A.116-1978 |
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Record created | June 24, 2009 |
Record URL |
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