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Farnese Hercules Lysippos, 4th Century BC - (Roman copy by Glycon) –3.15m tall, Museo Archeologico Nazionale, Naples
Jan 201
Hercules is shown with incredibly powerful physique. Each muscle in his abdomen has been carefully sculpted showing a great knowledge of human anatomy.
He is standing in contrapposto – one leg in front of the other and his body and shoulders twist slightly to the left while he looks to the right. He tilts his pelvis and his hip juts out to emphasise how all of his weight is resting on the post.
His hair and beard is thickly curled as was the fashion in Hellenistic Greece sculpture
He rests on the pole not with his hand or forearm but with the weight of his whole body – emphasising his tiredness.
On the pole is the pelt of a lion, referring to one of his earlier labours to kill a lion.
This sculpture was meant to be seen from all around rather than just from the front as indicated by the apples he holds behind his back.
His left hand seems to reach out and is open slightly as if asking for help. It follows the line of his vision. Anyone coming to see the sculpture would be able to stand there and it is as if he is appealing to the person for help. This is interesting for such an all powerful god as Hercules and contrast with his huge physique.
He is resting on a post, seemingly exhausted. This refers to the legend that he had to carry out 12 Labours. Rather than being shown during the labours, he is depicted as if he has just completed one.
The Farnese Hercules is the epitome of health and strength. He would inspire these qualities in the Greek and Roman citizens.
This sculpture is massive, much larger than the normal proportions of the average man (approx. 1.7m)
This is a Roman copy by Glycon from c. 216 AD of the original Greek sculpture by Lysippos which was from the 4th century BC.
His arms and shoulders seem out of proportion and too large for his head. Similarly his feet and lower leg seem small. His hands however are huge.
Behind his back he holds some apples in his hands. These are the apples of Hesperides, one of the last of his labours. It is interesting that he hold them behind his back – why? Perhaps purely for aesthetic reasons?
