Hercules and Lichas

1600–1625

Attributed to Pietro Tacca (Italian, 1577–1640)
After Giambologna (Flemish, active Italy, 1529–1608)

Both this bronze and it’s companion depict the legendary labors of Hercules, a frequent subject in Renaissance and later art. The figures may derive from a lost series of silver statuettes after models by sculptor Giambologna and were likely cast by his leading workshop assistant, Pietro Tacca. They reflect Giambologna’s intense preoccupation with the human form in motion, which transforms a violent struggle into a ballet.

Status: On View, Gallery 205
Department: Painting and Sculpture of Europe

Artist: Pietro Tacca
Title: Hercules and Lichas
Place: Italy (Object made in:)
Date Dates are not always precisely known, but the Art Institute strives to present this information as consistently and legibly as possible. Dates may be represented as a range that spans decades, centuries, dynasties, or periods and may include qualifiers such as c. (circa) or BCE.: 1600–1625
Medium: Bronze
Dimensions: H.: 49.9 cm (19 5/8 in.); With base: 55 × 35.6 × 35.6 cm (21 5/8 × 14 × 14 in.)
Credit Line: Robert Allerton Endowment
Reference Number: 1968.613
IIIF Manifest The International Image Interoperability Framework (IIIF) represents a set of open standards that enables rich access to digital media from libraries, archives, museums, and other cultural institutions around the world. Learn more.: https://api.artic.edu/api/v1/artworks/30358/manifest.json

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Artist

Title

Place

Date Dates are not always precisely known, but the Art Institute strives to present this information as consistently and legibly as possible. Dates may be represented as a range that spans decades, centuries, dynasties, or periods and may include qualifiers such as c. (circa) or BCE.

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Dimensions

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IIIF Manifest The International Image Interoperability Framework (IIIF) represents a set of open standards that enables rich access to digital media from libraries, archives, museums, and other cultural institutions around the world. Learn more.

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IIIF Manifest The International Image Interoperability Framework (IIIF) represents a set of open standards that enables rich access to digital media from libraries, archives, museums, and other cultural institutions around the world.

Learn more.