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This magnificent bronze sculpture depicts the
legendary hero Hercules, known to the Etruscans
as Hercle. In northern Italy he was worshipped as
a defender of the civilized world against the
beasts or monsters that threatened it. He is
depicted as a nude youth, standing with his
weight on the right leg. He wields a club in his
raised right hand in a fighting posture. The
Nemean lion skin is draped over his extended
left arm and refers to the first of his twelve
labours. The skin is rendered in some detail with
the head, paws and tail all clearly defined.
Etruscan bronze statuettes were cast solid by the
lost-wax method. After casting the details, such
as the short curly hair, were added by punching
and engraving.
Hercle was a popular figure in Etruscan bronze
statuary and this statuette was probably
intended as a votive offering in a temple
sanctuary. There were several cult sites in
Etruria, particularly in the Sabellian region, and
the bronze statuettes discovered here exhibit a
wide range of styles. This detailed study of the
male form is incredibly naturalistic and refined.
The surface is highly polished drawing attention
to the muscles and bone structure. Part of the
club is missing but the condition is otherwise
excellent. (AM)
Ref: I. Jucker, ‘Italy of the Etruscans,’ (Jerusalem,
1991), pp. 132-134.
- (X.0285)
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