Hercules

Alternate title

Ercole Maltese

Date1500s

Period16th century

Classification(s)

Art / Sculptures

Object TypeSculpture

Registration NumberFAS/S/114

DescriptionThis marble statue shows a nude bearded Hercules in contrapposto pose, holding the club with which he stunned the invincible Nimean lion. It could not be killed with the weapons of mere mortals because its fur was impervious to attack. Hercules strangled the lion with his bare hands and is shown here proudly holding its pelt. This is one of the surviving items from the first known public collection in Malta, which was that of the Order of St John's Vice Chancellor, Gian Francesco Abela (1582-1655). He owned a large collection of various items in his villa, also known as 'Il Museo di San Giacomo', on Corradino Heights. The statue, known as the 'Ercole Maltese', was once considered to be a genuine antique due to the classical pose and accurate anatomy of the figure. It has recently been dated to the Renaissance as a copy after the antique.Material

Marble

Technique

Carving

DimensionsItem: 103 x 45 x 37 cmProvenance From the collection of the Order of St John's Vice Chancellor Gian Francesco Abela (1582-1655) whose villa on Corradino Heights, known as 'Il Museo di San Giacomo,' hosted the first known public collection in Malta.

Alternate ID Numbers