Hercules and Cerberus

c. 1570/1587

Annibale Fontana

Associated Names
Annibale Fontana

Artist, Milanese, 1540 - 1587

The sculpture depicts a bearded man in a dynamic pose wielding a club, preparing to strike, confronting a multi-headed creature resembling a large dog. The scene includes lush vegetation, with detailed trees and plants surrounding the figures, creating a forest setting. The material of the sculpture presents a dark brown hue, potentially bronze or a similar metal. The sculpture is crafted in a high-relief style, allowing for intricate detailing of the figures and giving a three-dimensional appearance against a flat background.

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On View

West Building Ground Floor, Gallery G16


Artwork overview


Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Purchased c. 1960/1985 by Lisa and Leonard Baskin, Leeds, Massachusetts; gift 1999 to NGA.

Associated Names

Inscriptions

upper right reverse, in white paint: 176; handwritten paper label reverse: Giovanni Bernardi da / [?] 1496-1553 / [6 lines of German text]; printed round paper sticker reverse: THE BRITISH ANTIQUE DEALERS ASSOCIATION

Wikidata ID

Q63861549

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