THE LANSDOWNE HERACLES
Classification
Dimensions
209 x 85 x 54,5 cm
Date
early 20th century
Period
Material
Iconography
Inventory
Ag.181
ID
Hyp-6359
References
The club on the left shoulder and the lion’s skin in the right hand are attributes of Heracles. The statue is characterised by the duality of the composition. The naked hero rests on the right leg, and the tree that he leans against is also on his right — this side is stable. The other, however, is open: the left foot steps forward, the gaze is also directed to the left. The hero has just defeated the Nemean lion, this was his first labour. But he is well aware that there is more awaiting him. The Lansdowne House in London preserved a large collection of sculptures until the early twentieth century. This is the plaster cast of its most famous statue, its name still preserves the memory of the collection.
