Sarcophagus Relief Depicting Labors of Hercules
Date3rd-4th Century
GeographyRome
MediumMarble, possibly from Carrara
Dimensions28 1/2 x 29 x 6 1/4 in. (72.4 x 73.7 x 15.9 cm)
ClassificationsSculpture
Credit LineGift of Anna Rice Cooke, 1932 (3601)
Conservation treatment funded by ArtafterDark
Object number3601
DescriptionMarble sarcophagus fragment, high relief, depicting 2nd and 3rd Labors of Heracles who is represented twice: combatting Hydra of Lerne and taking wild boar of Erymanthe to Eurystee. Herakles figures are youthful and beardless. Both figures: facing and moving to right; nude, except for skin of Nemean lion knotted on chests. Left figure: right arm raised to head, flexed; forearm missing. Left arm lowered, flexed with hand grasping Hydra (1 head erect, facing him, 6 heads dangling, remaining heads vaguely defined). Left leg, piece missing between calf and ankle; right leg missing below knee. Under right leg: left hindleg and tail of lion.Right figure: right arm raised behind head, flexed, grasping boar (fragment) which rests on left shoulder. Left upper arm down, forearm raised to support boar. On ground, at right, is cask containing torso (Eurystee). Sarcophagus corner is behind cask: lower leg and foot of missing figure. An additional stone fragment 7” long shows carving of two feet, believed to belong at lower left of relief.
On View
On viewCollections
Mid 2nd century A.D.
c. 2350-2170 B.C.
1st Century A.D.
2500 - 2400 B.C.
