A BRONZE MODEL OF THE FARNESE HERCULES

This bronze of the Farnese Hercules is modelled after a Roman marble dating from circa 200 AD, now in the Museo Nazionale, Naples, which is in turn a copy of a fourth century BC original possibly by Lysippus. The Roman marble was discovered in the Baths of Caracalla by 1556 and was acquired shortly after by Pope Paul III Farnese. The sculpture was on display in the arcade around the courtyard of the Farnese Palace in Rome until 1787 but was then moved to Naples after being restored by Carlo Albacini.

Here, the hero Hercules is shown resting after having completed the twelve tasks assigned him. He leans wearily on his club and the Nemean lion's skin, and holds behind his back the three golden apples that would eventually ensure his path to immortality.