Ancient Roman Statuary at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York -- TESTA DI ERCOLE (Fletcher Fund, 1927)

Speranza

Marble head of Herakles
Period: Imperial
Date: 1st century A.D.
Culture: Roman
Medium: Marble, Parian ?
Dimensions: H. 33.3 cm
Classification: Stone Sculpture
Credit Line: Fletcher Fund, 1927
Accession Number: 27.122.18
This artwork is currently on display in Gallery 162

Copy of a Greek statue of the second half of the 4th century B.C. attributed to Lisippo.

In the statue, the hero ERCOLE is shown close to exhaustion on completion of the twelve labours set him by Euristeo, ruler of the Argolida.

The contrast between his powerful physique and his weary stance is echoed in this particularly fine rendition of his noble head, which is bowed with fatigue.

The statue was copied in many different sizes during the Roman period.
References:


Alexander, Christine. 1930.
"Miscellaneous Ancient Roman Sculptures."
Bulletin of the Metropolitan Museum of Art 25(7): pp. 167-68, fig. 2.