Hercules, wearing lion skin, wrestling with a bull, with his PR knee and hand pressing down on the bull's shoulder and his PL hand holding bull's PR horn, holding it to the ground

Hercules and the Bull, c. 1820

Unknown artist, expand_more

This small sculpture of Hercules' seventh Labour, the capturing of the Cretan Bull, was made by an unknown English silversmith in the early 19th century for Prince Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex (1773-1843). The only further known cast of this model is in the Royal Collection at Buckingham Palace. Originally the silver sculpture would have served as an ornament for the dining table - a particularly appropriate subject whenever beef was served.

Details
Title
Hercules and the Bull
Role
Artist
Accession Number
2012.39
Curator Approved

This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.

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Hercules, wearing lion skin, wrestling with a bull, with his PR knee and hand pressing down on the bull's shoulder and his PL hand holding bull's PR horn, holding it to the ground