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Hercules and the Cretan Bull

Manner of Giambologna Netherlandish
early 17th century
Not on view
Giovanni Bologna modelled, ca. 1576, twelve Labors of Hercules for Francesco I Medici, mentioned by Simone Fortuna in a letter of 27 October 1581 to the Duke of Urbino, six of which were cast by Michele Mazzafiri in silver between 1576–89, and placed in the Tribuna of the Uffizi. All twelve Labors are known in bronze versions, which relate to the style of Giovanni Bologna, although both models and the silver statuettes are lost.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Hercules and the Cretan Bull
  • Artist: Manner of Giambologna (Netherlandish, Douai 1529–1608 Florence)
  • Date: early 17th century
  • Culture: French or Netherlandish
  • Medium: Bronze
  • Dimensions: Overall: 21 3/4 × 16 in. (55.2 × 40.6 cm)
  • Classification: Sculpture-Bronze
  • Credit Line: Gift of Jean A. Seligmann and Arnold Seligmann, in memory of Arnold Seligmann, 1933
  • Object Number: 33.20
  • Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

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