Hercules and the Nemean Lion (#2)

Paul Manship, Hercules and the Nemean Lion (#2), n.d., gilded bronze on marble base, 9 5⁄8 x 5 3⁄8 x 4 3⁄8 in. (24.6 x 13.5 x 11.0 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Paul Manship, 1966.47.69

Artwork Details

Title
Hercules and the Nemean Lion (#2)
Artist
Date
n.d.
Location
Dimensions
9 5⁄8 x 5 3⁄8 x 4 3⁄8 in. (24.6 x 13.5 x 11.0 cm)
Credit Line
Bequest of Paul Manship
Mediums
Mediums Description
gilded bronze on marble base
Classifications
Subjects
  • Figure male — nude
  • Figure male — full length
  • Animal — lion
  • Mythology — classical — Hercules
  • Mythology — classical — Nemean Lion
Object Number
1966.47.69
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1966.47.69

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 (744 items)

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William Zorach, Small Head, ca. 1958-1962, carved stone, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Tessim Zorach and Dahlov Ipcar, 1968.154.9
Small Head
Artist
Dateca. 1958-1962
carved stone
On view
William Zorach, Kneeling Boy with Bird and Dog, ca. 1935, cast plaster, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Tessim Zorach and Dahlov Ipcar, 1968.154.137
Kneeling Boy with Bird and Dog
Artist
Dateca. 1935
cast plaster
On view
William Zorach, Floating Figure, 1922, cast plaster, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Tessim Zorach and Dahlov Ipcar, 1968.154.3
Floating Figure
Artist
Date1922
cast plaster
On view
William Zorach, Sleeping Coon Cat, ca. 1964, cast and patinated plaster, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Tessim Zorach, 1970.65.14
Sleeping Coon Cat
Artist
Dateca. 1964
cast and patinated plaster
On view

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Study for the Disciple Peter
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