Head of Hercules
An agate cameo also signed by Girometti with Hercules’ head reversed is in the Vatican’s Museo Gregoriano Profano. In this sardonyx version four strata were deployed: the plummy brown of the Nemean lion’s mask is defined against the blush of Hercules’ cheek, which in turn sets off the paler flesh of the hero’s profile and the white of the beast’s fang and paw.
Artwork Details
- Title: Head of Hercules
- Artist: Giuseppe Girometti (Italian, Rome 1780–1851 Rome)
- Date: second quarter 19th century
- Culture: Italian, Rome
- Medium: Sardonyx
- Dimensions: Overall (confirmed): 1 1/4 x 1 1/16 x 3 5/8 in. (3.2 x 2.7 x 9.2 cm); 32.1 x 26.6 x 9.2 mm
- Classification: Lapidary Work-Gems
- Credit Line: The Milton Weil Collection, 1940
- Object Number: 40.20.37
- Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
More Artwork
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.