The Farnese Hercules

The Farnese Hercules, the subject of this engraving, was one of the most famous sculptures to survive from antiquity, and from 1546 was displayed in the Farnese Palace in Rome. The statue was carved in the 3rd century B.C.E. by the Greek artist Glykon, and is a copy of an original by the Athenian sculptor Lysippos from the previous century. Hercules is shown leaning on his club, covered by the skin of the Nemean lion, which he had slain. Killing the lion was the first of the Twelve Labors assigned to Hercules by Hera as a punishment for slaying his children in a fit of madness.