Hercules and the Centaur Nessus Bronze
$58,500.00
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This extraordinary Italian bronze embodies all of the hallmarks of the very best Florentine sculptures of the 17th century. The work is crafted in the Mannerist style of the late Renaissance, with elongated forms and twisting angles that make it dynamic and engaging from every possible angle. The style lends itself well to the subject—the legend of Hercules and the Centaur Nessus—which is one of the most dramatic episodes of classical mythology. Exhibiting a remarkable level of detail, the sculpture is an impressive exploration of anatomy and expression.
A classical display of hero defeating the villain and good triumphing over evil, this bronze expertly captures the dynamic drama of the moment when two adversaries meet, all in the highly refined style of the late Renaissance. Hercules is depicted during one of his most fateful moments, defeating the Centaur Nessus, who has tried to steal away his wife, Deianira. Hercules’ victory, however, would be tragically short-lived; with his dying breath, the centaur convinces Deianira to take his blood, claiming it held the power to keep Hercules faithful. Fearing her husband would abandon her, Deianira smeared the blood on Hercules’ lion-skin shroud, which burned the hero so severely that he threw himself upon a funeral pyre. The majestic sculpture depicts Hercules’ final victory over the centaur before his own untimely demise.
Only a handful of pre-18th-century bronze versions of this legend are known. These examples are currently held in the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, the Frick Collection in New York, the Wallace Collection in London, and the Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna. The Kunsthistorisches bronze, attributed to Susini, is nearly identical to the present work, though it stands on a slightly less detailed base. Reproductions dating to the 19th century and later also exist. Those dating to the 17th century, however, remain a remarkable rarity, and the present example is one of the few examples not presently housed in a museum.
These bronzes are based upon the marble sculpture by Giambologna, the celebrated court sculptor to the Medici grand dukes in Florence, which is now displayed in the Loggia dei Lanzi in Florence. It is little wonder this monumental marble by Giambologna continues to inspire sculptors. Hercules is one of the most famous and important heroes in all of Greek mythology. He embodies strength, male beauty and bravery—all of which are masterfully captured in the present work.
Italian, circa 1680
24 1/2” high x 14 1/2” wide x 13 1/4” deep
Hercules and the Centaur Nessus Bronze
$58,500.00
A classical display of hero defeating the villain and good triumphing over evil, this bronze expertly captures the dynamic drama of the moment when two adversaries meet, all in the highly refined style of the late Renaissance. Hercules is depicted during one of his most fateful moments, defeating the Centaur Nessus, who has tried to steal away his wife, Deianira. Hercules’ victory, however, would be tragically short-lived; with his dying breath, the centaur convinces Deianira to take his blood, claiming it held the power to keep Hercules faithful. Fearing her husband would abandon her, Deianira smeared the blood on Hercules’ lion-skin shroud, which burned the hero so severely that he threw himself upon a funeral pyre. The majestic sculpture depicts Hercules’ final victory over the centaur before his own untimely demise.
Only a handful of pre-18th-century bronze versions of this legend are known. These examples are currently held in the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, the Frick Collection in New York, the Wallace Collection in London, and the Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna. The Kunsthistorisches bronze, attributed to Susini, is nearly identical to the present work, though it stands on a slightly less detailed base. Reproductions dating to the 19th century and later also exist. Those dating to the 17th century, however, remain a remarkable rarity, and the present example is one of the few examples not presently housed in a museum.
These bronzes are based upon the marble sculpture by Giambologna, the celebrated court sculptor to the Medici grand dukes in Florence, which is now displayed in the Loggia dei Lanzi in Florence. It is little wonder this monumental marble by Giambologna continues to inspire sculptors. Hercules is one of the most famous and important heroes in all of Greek mythology. He embodies strength, male beauty and bravery—all of which are masterfully captured in the present work.
Italian, circa 1680
24 1/2” high x 14 1/2” wide x 13 1/4” deep