{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O110692"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O110692/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AE5145/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AE5145/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2006AE5145","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2016JB8469","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2016JB8472","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2016JB8473","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2016JB8474","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O110692/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O110692","accessionNumber":"A.137-1910","objectType":"Statuette","titles":[{"title":"Hercules Resting","type":"generic title"}],"summaryDescription":"The surface finish of a bronze often disguises how it was made. It is only when you study it closely – sometimes only by taking X-rays that allow you to see what has happened inside the bronze – that you can discover what casting method was used. At first glance these three bronzes look similar, but each one was made using a different technique.  \r\nThis statuette is solid bronze. It was cast from a solid wax model using the ‘direct’ lost-wax method. This technique is simpler than the ‘indirect’ method and creates a lively, unique work. However, it uses more bronze and is more likely to suffer casting flaws while cooling. Also, the model is also lost in the process. \r\n\r\nThe figure is based on the antique Farnese Hercules one of the most famous ancient sculptures which dates from the 3rd century AD. It came into the collection of Cardinal Alessandro Farnese (1520-1589), the granson of Pope Paul III, who was a great patron of the arts and assembled one of the biggest collections of ancient sculpture. The statue was displayed for generations in the Palazzo Farnese in Rome.\r\n\r\nThe Farnese statue was moved to Naples in 1787 and is now displayed in the Museo Archeologico Nazionale.\r\n\r\nHercules (Greek name is Heracles) is one of the most important heroes in Greek mythology and represents the characteristics of masculinity, strength, courage and sexual prowess.\r\nHe was the son of Jupiter and Alcmena, a Theban princess. He is regarded as the embodiment of physical strength and courage.\r\nHis two main attributes are the club and the lion’s skin, which he won at his first labour. He had to undertake 12 labours as a penance for slaying his own children in an act of madness.","physicalDescription":"This statuette represents Hercules, young and beardless, standing, naked, his right foot crossed over his left, resting on his club which he holds under his right arm. His left hand, wrapped in a short cloak, lies on his hip. Thin bronze base. Brown varnish patina, partly cleaned off the pale-surfaced bronze. on a shallow rectangular base of crimson porphyry.","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Unknown","id":"A1848"},"association":{"text":"","id":""},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"Bronze","id":"AAT10957"}],"techniques":[],"materialsAndTechniques":"Bronze","categories":[{"text":"Sculpture","id":"THES48896"},{"text":"Myths & Legends","id":"THES49005"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"SCP","id":"THES48600"},"images":["2006AE5145","2016JB8469","2016JB8472","2016JB8473","2016JB8474"],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"111","id":"THES49918"},"free":"","case":"CA004","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Statuette","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"Italy","id":"x28927"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":"northern"}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"16th century","earliest":"1500-01-01","latest":"1600-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"Salting Bequest","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Height","value":"34","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[],"objectHistory":"From the Salting bequest.","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"Statuette, bronze, Hercules Resting, after the Farnese Hercules (3rd century AD), Northern Italy, 16th century","bibliographicReferences":[{"reference":{"text":"","id":""},"details":"","free":"Trusted, Marjorie, ed. <u>The Making of Sculpture. The Materials and Techniques of European Sculpture</u>. London: 2007, p. 51, pl. 83"},{"reference":{"text":"","id":""},"details":"","free":"Joannides, Paul. 'Michelangelo and the Medici Garden', in: <u>La Toscana al Tempo di Lorenzo il Magnifico</u>. Politica Economica Cultura Arte. Conference paper, Florence, 5-8 Nov., 1992, p. 30, plate 20"},{"reference":{"text":"","id":""},"details":"","free":"Joannides, Paul. 'Michelangelo \"Bronzista\". Reflections on his mettle'. In: <u>Apollo</u>, Vol. CXLV, No. 424, June 1997, pp. 11-20"},{"reference":{"text":"","id":""},"details":"","free":"'Salting Bequest (A. 70 to A. 1029-1910) / Murray Bequest (A. 1030 to A. 1096-1910)'. In: <u>List of Works of Art Acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum (Department of Architecture and Sculpture)</u>. London: Printed under the Authority of his Majesty's Stationery Office, by Eyre and Spottiswoode, Limited, East Harding Street, EC, p. 9"}],"production":"After the Farnese Hercules, Roman 3rd century AD","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[{"text":"Hercules","id":"N179"}],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[{"text":"club","id":"AAT37206"},{"text":"cloak","id":"AAT46142"}],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[],"partNumbers":["A.137-1910"],"accessionNumberNum":"137","accessionNumberPrefix":"A","accessionYear":1910,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":["2016JF6950","2016JF6951","2019LN2668","2019LP9034","2019LU2525"],"recordModificationDate":"2026-05-14","recordCreationDate":"2005-03-30","availableToBook":false}}