Hercules and the Nemean Lion (#2)

Object Details

Artist

Paul Manship, born St. Paul, MN 1885-died New York City 1966

Luce Center Label

Paul Manship modeled many sculptures of Hercules, the son of Zeus and the mortal Alcmena. Zeus’s wife, Queen Hera, was jealous of Hercules and tormented him so much that he murdered his own family in a fit of insanity. As punishment, he was sentenced to serve twelve labors for his cousin and enemy, Eurystheus. These included strangling the Nemean lion, whose skin was impenetrable, destroying the many-headed Hydra, and stealing the belt from the Amazon queen Hippolyte. His final labor was to capture Cerberus, a three-headed dog from the kingdom of the dead. Hercules had many more adventures after these tasks were completed, including stealing the Delphic tripod from his half-brother Apollo, and killing the giant Antaeus. Antaeus gained strength every time he touched his mother, the earth, so Hercules defeated him by lifting him high above his head.

Credit Line

Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Paul Manship

n.d.

Object number

1966.47.69

Restrictions & Rights

Usage conditions apply

Type

Sculpture

Medium

gilded bronze on marble base

Dimensions

9 5/8 x 5 3/8 x 4 3/8 in. (24.6 x 13.5 x 11.0 cm)

See more items in

Smithsonian American Art Museum Collection

Department

Painting and Sculpture

On View

Smithsonian American Art Museum, Luce Foundation Center, 4th Floor, 49A

Smithsonian American Art Museum, Luce Foundation Center

Smithsonian American Art Museum, Luce Foundation Center, 4th Floor

Smithsonian American Art Museum

Topic

Figure male\nude

Figure male\full length

Animal\lion

Mythology\classical\Hercules

Mythology\classical\Nemean Lion

Record ID

saam_1966.47.69

Metadata Usage (text)

Not determined

GUID (Link to Original Record)

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/vk7bb26afe0-7372-4499-9eed-8fe5e8ad2e41