Hercules slaying a Centaur
Group
ca. 1850 (cast)
ca. 1850 (cast)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
On acquisition, this piece was thought to represent Hercules and Nessus, a reduced copy of the marble group by Giambologna (Jean of Boulogne, 1529-1608), a Franco-Flemish sculptor active in Florence, Italy. Its reattribution to H. J. Hatfield was made at some date after 1974; a further bronze group, Hercules and Antaeus, was also reattributed following the discovery of the Hatfield foundry stamp concealed beneath the foot of the Hercules figure.
H. J. Hatfield was almost certainly a member of the Hatfield firm of bronze workers active from the 1840s. He is recorded as having produced a number of bronzes for the Art Union.
H. J. Hatfield was almost certainly a member of the Hatfield firm of bronze workers active from the 1840s. He is recorded as having produced a number of bronzes for the Art Union.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Hercules slaying a Centaur (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Cast bronze |
| Brief description | Group, Hercules slaying a Centaur, bronze, Henry John Hatfield after a model by Giambologna, England (London), circa 1850 |
| Physical description | A statuette of Hercules standing over a centaur. He holds a club in his right hand which is raised above his head, ready to strike. With his left hand he pushes down the head of the centaur. The centaur is underneath Hercules kneeling on his front legs. His torso is bent backwards and his head is pushed down on Hercules' right knee. |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Given by Dr W. L. Hildburgh FSA |
| Object history | Purchased by Hildburgh from an unrecorded sale just prior to its loan to the Museum commencing on 25 October 1952, when it was described as Hercules and Nessus in the style of Francesco Susini, and thought to date from the early 17th century, Given by Dr. W. L. Hildburgh, F. S. A., 1956. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | On acquisition, this piece was thought to represent Hercules and Nessus, a reduced copy of the marble group by Giambologna (Jean of Boulogne, 1529-1608), a Franco-Flemish sculptor active in Florence, Italy. Its reattribution to H. J. Hatfield was made at some date after 1974; a further bronze group, Hercules and Antaeus, was also reattributed following the discovery of the Hatfield foundry stamp concealed beneath the foot of the Hercules figure. H. J. Hatfield was almost certainly a member of the Hatfield firm of bronze workers active from the 1840s. He is recorded as having produced a number of bronzes for the Art Union. |
| Bibliographic reference | Bilbey, Diane with Trusted, Marjorie, British Sculpture 1470 to 2000. A Concise Catalogue of the Collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, 2002, p. 298, cat. no. 461 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | A.100-1956 |
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| Record created | January 14, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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