Hercules and the Cretan Bull

Paul Manship, Hercules and the Cretan Bull, 1956, bronze on wood base, 4 x 7 7⁄8 x 4 1⁄8 in. (10.2 x 20.1 x 10.4 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Paul Manship, 1966.47.59

Artwork Details

Title
Hercules and the Cretan Bull
Artist
Date
1956
Location
Dimensions
4 x 7 7⁄8 x 4 1⁄8 in. (10.2 x 20.1 x 10.4 cm)
Credit Line
Bequest of Paul Manship
Mediums
Mediums Description
bronze on wood base
Classifications
Subjects
  • Figure male — nude
  • Figure male — full length
  • Animal — cattle
  • Mythology — classical — Hercules
Object Number
1966.47.59
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1966.47.59

Artwork Description

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.

Works by this artist (32 items)

View all artworks
Eliot Clark, Toward the Heights--Himalayas, ca. 1937-1938, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Eliot Clark, 1980.123.8
Toward the Heights – Himalayas
Artist
Dateca. 1937-1938
oil on canvas
Not on view
Eliot Clark, Shiva's Realm, ca. 1937-1938, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Eliot Clark, 1980.123.19
Shiva’s Realm
Artist
Dateca. 1937-1938
oil on canvas
Not on view
Eliot Clark, Nanda Devi at Dawn--Mayavati Himalayas, ca. 1937-1938, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Eliot Clark, 1980.123.24
Nanda Devi at Dawn – Mayavati Himalayas
Artist
Dateca. 1937-1938
oil on canvas
Not on view
Eliot Clark, Last Light, Nanda Devi--Himalayas XI, ca. 1937-1938, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Eliot Clark, 1980.123.20
Last Light, Nanda Devi – Himalayas XI
Artist
Dateca. 1937-1938
oil on canvas
Not on view

More Artworks from the Collection

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William H. Johnson, Male Model on Stool, ca. 1939-1940, tempera, brush and ink and pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.238
Male Model on Stool
Artist
Dateca. 1939-1940
tempera, brush and ink and pencil on paper
Not on view
William H. Johnson, Induction Center, ca. 1942, tempera and pen and ink with pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.169
Induction Center
Artist
Dateca. 1942
tempera and pen and ink with pencil on paper
Not on view
William H. Johnson, Family Reunion, ca. 1940-1941, tempera, pen and ink, and pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.1061R-V
Family Reunion
Artist
Dateca. 1940-1941
tempera, pen and ink, and pencil on paper
Not on view
William H. Johnson, Children at Ice Cream Stand, ca. 1939-1942, tempera and pen and ink with pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.1097R
Children at Ice Cream Stand
Artist
Dateca. 1939-1942
tempera and pen and ink with pencil on paper
Not on view