Terracotta oinochoe (jug)

Class of the Red-Bodied Oinochoai III

early 5th century BCE · Terracotta · Greek and Roman Art

The representation of Herakles fighting the Nemean lion is the most common depiction in Archaic Greek art of all the hero's labors. In this scene, Herakles wrestles the lion on the ground, pulling up its hind leg. The skin of the lion was invulnerable; thus, Herakles strangled the beast with his bare hands.

Artist

Class of the Red-Bodied Oinochoai III

Date

early 5th century BCE

Medium

Terracotta

Culture

Greek, Attic

Department

Greek and Roman Art

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1906