Graeco-Roman Silver Statuette of Herakles

The composition of this exquisite statuette presents the apotheosis of Herakles: after his superhuman deeds, the hero was accepted to the eternal feast of the Olympians. He wears a fillet in the hair, a sign of divinization, and he holds a drinking cup in his right hand, as well as his usual attributes in the left, the club and Nemean lion’s skin. Although the expression of weariness appears on his finely modeled face, his trained body is in excellent shape. The exaggerated muscular forms and proportions are those of a professional mature athlete reminding us also of the famous Farnese Herakles statue from the Palazzo Farnese in Rome.

Art market, prior to 1995;

The Gilbert Collection, Cambridge, Massachusetts, acquired in London, 22 November 1995.

The Gilbert Collection: by Phoenix Ancient Art, New York, 2019, no. 201

La Biennale, Grand Palais, Paris, 11-17 September 2019;

PAD London, Berkeley Square, London, 30 September 6 – October 2019;

Salon Art + Design, New York, November 14-18 2019