Hercules

Object belonging

One's own

Category

Bronze sculpture

City

Rome

Location

Museo Nazionale del Palazzo di Venezia

Specific location

Room 17

Inventory

PV 10774

Material and technique

Bronze, patina, black lacquer

Author

Paduan School

Dating

Mid-16th century

Dimensions

14.5 cm.

Origin

Auriti Collection (1963)

Image copyright

SSPSAE e per il Polo Museale della città di Roma

Short description

It is worth noting here that the technique of Paduan artists has been followed in the depiction of the branches of the club; there are many tree stumps where figures are depicted seated, such as the Boy Removing a Thorn, Satyresses with their Children and Vulcan striking the Anvil. Classicl depictions of Hercules are not followed here, with Hercules represented in more humble fashion, as a follower of Bacchus, which led to his being labelled a “great imbiber”. His right hand is held in a manner that is the natural consequence of his indulgent drinking, and it seems to be a coded message not only in classical iconography but also in the modern period, where Hercules is portrayed in alchemical iconography. The skill of the sculptor is evident in the modelling of Hercules’ muscular back and his facial expression, with his head bowed and turned to the right, with a sinister gaze.

Pietro Cannata

Bibliography

L. Planiscig, La Collezione Giacinto Auriti, Vienna 1931, no. 6; A. Santangelo, Museo di Palazzo Venezia. La collezione Auriti, Rome 1964, p. 15; L. Martini, Piccoli Bronzi e Placchette del Museo Nazionale di Ravenna, Ravenna 1985, p. XLVIII.