Cleveland Museum of Art

Hercules and the Nemean Lion

Date: 1500s or later
Medium: bronze
Culture: Italy or France, 16th century or later
Department: European Painting and Sculpture
Institution: Cleveland Museum of Art

The original owner of this work would have understood that this scene referred to the entire story of Hercules, the demi-god who had to accomplish twelve labors. The lion is named after the city of Nemea, near Corinth, a monstrous beast sent by the goddess Hera to wreak havoc on the area. After killing the lion, Hercules wore his pelt, commonly seen in other representations of the hero.

View at Cleveland Museum of Art ↗

The authoritative record is held by Cleveland Museum of Art. LinkedCulture surfaces this object and its connections; it does not alter institutional metadata.