After the antique. A 19th century bronze Grand Tour model of the Farnese Hercules

After the antique. A 19th century bronze Grand Tour model of the Farnese Hercules, the base inscribed 'Farnese', 71.5cm high.

Provenance: The Collection of Sir Jeremy Lever.

The Farnese Hercules is a massive Roman marble statue after a Greek bronze original. It was originally made for the Baths of Caracalla and was rediscovered in 1546. It made its way into the collection of the Cardinal Alessandro Farnese and stood for generations in its own room in the Palazzo Farnese, Rome. It now resides in the Museo Archeologico Nazionale, Naples. It depicts the weary, muscular, mythic hero leaning on his club after completing one of the last of his twelve labours. He holds the apples of Hesperides behind his back.