This colossal statue represents the Roman god, Hercules, known as Herakles to the ancient Greeks. He was celebrated for his courage and unusual strength. Here he wears the skin of the Nemean lion that he slew—one of his twelve near-impossible labors. The lion’s paws are tied in a knot across Hercules’s chest, and its open jaw fits neatly on top of the hero’s head. This statue and the other colossal statue of Hercules, directly behind you, were designed as a pair. Notice how well they fit in this high-ceiling court. In fact, they probably once decorated a large Roman public bath.

Both statues belonged to the Marchese Vincenzo Giustiniani, a wealthy Genoese banker who assembled a large collection of ancient sculpture in the early seventeenth century. Many of Giustiniani’s antiquities were found near the public baths that the Roman Emperor Nero constructed in 62 A.D.

In the drawing on the label before you, you’ll see that much of this statue was restored in the early seventeenth century. At this time, it was common practice to totally clean ancient sculpture, and restore any missing parts. In fact, a reputable sculptor could make a considerable living as a restorer of antiquities.