Farnese Hercules.

£325 · Offered by Shapero Rare Books · No longer available

A nineteenth-century albumen print depicting the Farnese Hercules in the National Archaeological Museum, Naples. The Farnese Hercules is a third century AD Roman marble statue, signed by the sculptor Glykon, after a lost fourth century BC Greek bronze original by Lysippos. The statue depicts a muscular, yet weary, Hercules leaning on his club, with the skin of the Nemean Lion draped over it. In myths about Hercules (Greek: Heracles), killing the Nemean Lion was the first of his Twelve Labours. His weariness is indicative of his having performed one of the last of his Labours, suggested by the Apples of the Hesperides he holds behind his back. Albumen print. Very good tonal range and in good condition, pasted on original mount, photographers number in negative. Dimensions: 240 x 185mm. (9.5 x 7.25 inches).

• Binding: Hardcover

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