Bronze Herakles
Greek, last quarter of the 6th century BC

Accession # 28.77

Herakles is presented not only as a hero of extraordinary strength and vitality but also as a beautifully groomed- thus civilized individual. In Archaic art, this aspect is emphasized; on the Andokides amphora, he appears as fully the equal of the god Apollo. Only later do episodes such as the madness that Hera inflicted upon him become prominent in art. The bronze statuette was probably made as a dedication in a sanctuary.

Text from the Metropolitan Museum of Art label.