1977.216.2305: Herakles
SculptureIdentification and Creation
- Object Number
- 1977.216.2305
- Title
- Herakles
- Other Titles
- Former Title: Warrior Figurine, Probably Herakles
- Classification
- Sculpture
- Work Type
- statuette, sculpture
- Date
- 5th-2nd century BCE
- Places
- Creation Place: Ancient & Byzantine World, Europe, Etruria
- Period
- Classical period to Hellenistic
- Culture
- Etruscan
- Persistent Link
- https://hvrd.art/o/310713
Physical Descriptions
- Medium
- Leaded bronze
- Technique
- Cast, lost-wax process
- Dimensions
- 9.9 cm (3 7/8 in.)
- Technical Details
-
Chemical Composition: ICP-MS/AAA data from sample, Leaded Bronze:
Cu, 71.43; Sn, 9.28; Pb, 18.8; Zn, 0.007; Fe, 0.06; Ni, 0.03; Ag, 0.05; Sb, 0.09; As, 0.23; Bi, less than 0.025; Co, 0.026; Au, less than 0.01; Cd, less than 0.001
J. RiedererTechnical Observations: The patina is a predominantly brownish green surface with patches of green malachite. Losses of the surface expose an eroded black layer underneath. The statuette is missing the weapon he would have held in his right hand, while the peg extensions and the bottoms of the feet were recently filed. Numerous casting flaws, such as large open pits, are present, especially on the proper left arm.
This Herakles is a solid cast made by the lost-wax process, and the designs were done in the wax model prior to casting. Some cold work, such as burnishing, was done after casting.
Carol Snow and Nina Vinogradskaya (submitted 2002)
Provenance
- Recorded Ownership History
- Henry W. Haynes, Boston, MA, (by 1912), bequest; to the Harvard University Department of Classics, (1912-1977), transferred; to Fogg Art Museum, 1977.
Acquisition and Rights
- Credit Line
- Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Transfer from the Department of the Classics, Harvard University, Bequest of Henry W. Haynes, 1912
- Accession Year
- 1977
- Object Number
- 1977.216.2305
- Division
- Asian and Mediterranean Art
- Contact
- am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
- Permissions
-
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Descriptions
Published Catalogue Text: Ancient Mediterranean and Near Eastern Bronzes at the Harvard Art Museums
Herakles stands with his left foot out and turned, while his right foot is back. His right arm is upraised holding the end of a club, which is missing. His left arm is extended downward at his side with a stylized, triangular lion skin hanging down from it. Toes are slightly indicated; fingers are not. The molded portions of the musculature are naturalistic but not brawny and are relatively undetailed, apart from the incised circular nipples. The face is molded and proportionate; eyes, nose, mouth, and eyebrows are indicated. His hair is uncovered and is represented in straight rows.
Statuettes showing Herakles in an attacking stance like this are very common in the ancient world (1). The god may have had a connection with cultivation in early Italy (2).
NOTES:
1. See A.-M. Adam, Bronzes étrusques et italiques (Paris, 1984) 180-92, nos. 271-95; and A. Naso, I bronzi etruschi e italici del Römisch-Germanisches Zentralmuseum, Kataloge vor- und frühgeschichtlicher Altertümer 33 (Mainz, 2003) 37-43, nos. 48-61, 63-64, and 66-67, pls. 21-24.
2. S. J. Schwarz, “Herakles/Hercle,” Lexicon Iconographicum Mythologiae Classicae 5.1: 196-253, esp. 197; F. van Wonterghem, “Le culte d’Hercule chez les Paeligni documents anciens et nouveaux,” L’Antiquité classique 42.1 (1973): 36-48; F. Jurgeit, Die etruskischen und italischen Bronzen sowie Gegenstände aus Eisen, Blei, und Leder im Badischen Landesmuseum Karlsruhe, Terra Italia 5 (Pisa, 1999) 56-69, nos. 61-89, pls. 21-28.
Jane A. Scott and Lisa M. Anderson
Publication History
- D. Barrett Tanner, "Etruscan Art in the Fogg Museum", Bulletin of the Fogg Art Museum (1933), Vol. 3, No. 1, 12-17, p. 14, fig. 5.
Exhibition History
- 32Q: 2540 Renaissance, Harvard Art Museums, Cambridge, 07/18/2018 - 11/15/2018
Subjects and Contexts
- Ancient Bronzes
Verification Level
This record has been reviewed by the curatorial staff but may be incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of Asian and Mediterranean Art at am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu