Hercules Farnese ” Grand Tour Bronze”

Description

The Hercules Farnese: origin and history

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The sculpture of Hercules Farnese is one of the most famous representations of ancient mythology. Its origins go back to a monumental statue that was probably created in the third century AD by the Greek sculptor Glykon after an original by the famous Lysippos. It shows the mythological hero Hercules resting after one of his twelve tasks, the theft of the golden apples of the Hesperides. This task is probably one of Hercules’ most important heroic deeds.

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The sculpture of Hercules Farnese was rediscovered in the Baths of Caracalla in Rome in 1546 and has since been considered one of the most important finds of the Renaissance. The discovery of the statue inspired numerous artists of the time, resulting in countless replicas and interpretations of the figure. The name “Farnese” is derived from the Italian noble family Farnese, who owned the statue. It became a central piece of the famous Farnese collection, which has fascinated numerous art lovers and collectors over the centuries. Today, the monumental marble sculpture can be admired in the National Archaeological Museum of Naples.

A fine Grand Tour bronze sculpture

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The bronze sculpture is a detailed and high-quality version of the original Hercules Farnese. This sculpture is a classic example of the art of the “Grand Tour Bronzes”, a tradition in which young aristocrats from all over Europe traveled to Italy to study ancient art and culture. The tour often took them to Naples, where they came into contact with statues from the Sanatiano de Angelis et Fils and Fonderia Chiurazzi workshops.

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The depiction shows Hercules in his typical pose, leaning on a club, with the lion’s skin over his shoulder and the three apples of the Hesperides in his right hand, which he holds behind his back. The green patina gives the bronze a special elegance and emphasizes the fine details of the work.

Bronze molded sand cast, chased, and greenish patinated.

Date of origin around 1850-70 Italy/ Naples

The condition of the sculpture is perfect,

which makes it a valuable collector’s item.