Hercules and a Centaur thumbnail 1
Hercules and a Centaur thumbnail 2
Not currently on display at the V&A

Hercules and a Centaur

Statue
1st half 19th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This group was formerly ascribed to Hubert Gerhard (1540-1620). It is adapted from the colossal marble of 'Theseus and the Centaur' by Antonio Canova (1757-1822) in the Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna, which dates from 1819. The same forger was responsible for other deceptive bronzes, many with centaur subjects.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleHercules and a Centaur (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Bronze
Brief description
Group, bronze, of Hercules and a Centaur, after a marble group by Antonio Canova, Italian or German, first half of 19th century
Physical description
Hercules, with lion's skin over his right shoulder, grips Nessus by the throat with his left hand. His right arm upraised, he grips a club in his right hand, and is about to strike the fallen Nessus; the latter grips Hercules' left arm with his right hand.
Dimensions
  • Height: 40.5cm
Credit line
Given by Dr W. L. Hildburgh FSA
Object history
Given by Dr. W. L. Hildburgh, F. S. A., 1951.
Formerly ascribed to Hubert Gerhard (1540-1620), the group is adapted from the colossal marble of Theseus and the Centaur by Antonio Canova in the Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna, which dates from 1819. The same forger was responsible for other deceptive bronzes, many with centaur subjects.
Production
formerly ascribed to Hubert Gerhard (1540-1620), this group is amde after the colossoal marble of Theseus and the Centaur by Antonio Canova in the Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna, which dates from 1819. The same forger was responsible for other deceptive bronzes, many with centaur subjects.
Subjects depicted
Summary
This group was formerly ascribed to Hubert Gerhard (1540-1620). It is adapted from the colossal marble of 'Theseus and the Centaur' by Antonio Canova (1757-1822) in the Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna, which dates from 1819. The same forger was responsible for other deceptive bronzes, many with centaur subjects.
Collection
Accession number
A.73-1951

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Record createdMarch 8, 2004
Record URL
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