Hercules Skinning the Nemean Lion

François Lespingola

ca. 1675–1700 · Bronze · European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Hercules subdued the Nemean lion by order of his nemesis King Eurystheus, who ordered all twelve of his famous Labors. He is often shown wrestling with it but seldom if ever skinning it after slaying it. The figure reacting in fright at the side is a water nymph personifying a stream in the neighborhood of Mount Cithaeron, where Hercules performed this first of his Labors. As in all his groups, Lespingola cut the wax model into sections then reassembled them after casting. Here, there are three sections: lion with tree and ground, Hercules, and nymph. He availed himself of the lion’s tail, making it serve as a sprue for the casting.

Artist

François Lespingola

Date

ca. 1675–1700

Medium

Bronze

Culture

French, probably Paris

Department

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Credit line

Gift of Irwin Untermyer, 1964