- Hercules Contemplating the Nemean Lion
Explore Further
This depiction of a victorious Hercules was created by an Italian sculptor, goldsmith, and medalist known as "Antico" (the ancient, or antique). His classically inspired bronze statuettes won him great popularity, and he also restored ancient marble sculptures and acted as an adviser to collectors.
Ancient Greek hero Hercules was sentenced to performing a series of seemingly impossible labors as a penance for slaying his own children in a fit of madness. He was ordered by the Delphic oracle to serve Eurystheus, king of Tiryns, for 12 years and to undertake any task required. The first of these tasks was to slay a lion that terrorized the citizens of Nemea. The animal was invulnerable to Hercules's weapons, so he strangled it to death. Here, Hercules stands over his opponent, leaning on his standard attribute—a club—and wearing the lion's skin.
ProvenanceEugène Piot (1812–1890); [Piot sale, Paris, April 26, 1864, lot 30]; Alexander von Frey, Vienna (1882–1951); [bought by Percy Straus from Alexander von Frey, through Leo Planiscig, in May 1934]; bequeathed to MFAH, 1944.
Exhibition History"Decorative Arts of the Italian Renaissance 1400-1600," Detroit Institute of Arts, November 18, 1958–January 4, 1959.
"Early Renaissance Sculpture from Northern Italy 1440-1540," Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, June 5–October 14, 1973.
"The Triumph of Humanism: Renaissance Decorative Arts, 1425-1625," Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, California Palace of the Legion of Honor, October 22, 1977–January 9, 1978.
"Antiquity in the Renaissance," Smith College Museum of Art, Northampton, Massachusetts, April 6–June 6, 1978.
"Gloria del Arte: A Renaissance Perspective," Philbrook Art Center, Tulsa, October 28, 1979–January 27, 1980.
"Classical Myth in Western Art: Ancient through Modern," Meadows Museum and Gallery, Dallas, November 1, 1985–December 22, 1986; Amarillo Art Center, Texas, January 12–March 2, 1986.
"Collection: A Texas Phenomenon," McNay Art Museum, San Antonio, November 21–December 24, 1986.
"Andrea Mantegna," Musée du Louvre, Paris, September 22, 2008–January 5, 2009.
"Passion for Perfection: The Straus Collection of Renaissance Art," Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, October 21, 2017–June 17, 2018.
"New Light on Old Masters: European Art from Houston Collections," Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, October 2, 2021–January 23, 2022.
Cataloguing data may change with further research.
If you have questions about this work of art or the MFAH Online Collection please contact us.