ticketsMember | Make a donation

Hercules and Nessus

before 1584
Not on view
One of the major glyptic artists working in Milan during the second half of the sixteenth century, Fontana engraved exquisitely luminous Late Mannerist scenes from classical mythology and biblical subjects in rock crystal. A casket, set with Fontana's rock-crystal plaques and made for Albrecht V, duke of Bavaria (r. 1550–79), can still to be seen in the Schatzkammer of the Munich Residenz. The Metropolitan Museum's medallion is one of a series of six surviving rock crystals engraved with episodes from the story of Hercules; the medallions were removed from a casket, now destroyed, that once belonged to the Gonzaga duke of Mantua, Vincenzo I (r. 1587–1612). The casket, ornamented with gold and pearls, would have been highly valued as a splendid example of Milanese goldsmiths' work, as well as of intaglio engraving.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Hercules and Nessus
  • Artist: Annibale Fontana (Italian, 1540–1587)
  • Date: before 1584
  • Culture: Italian, Milan
  • Medium: Rock crystal; gold and champlevé enamel frame
  • Dimensions: H. 3-1/16 x W. 4-1/16 in. (7.8 x 10.3 cm)
  • Classification: Natural Substances-Rock Crystal
  • Credit Line: The Friedsam Collection, Bequest of Michael Friedsam, 1931
  • Object Number: 32.100.237
  • Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Hercules and Acheloüs, Annibale Fontana Italian, Rock crystal; gold and champlevé enamel frame, Italian, Milan
Hercules and Acheloüs
Annibale Fontana
before 1584
Sacrifice of Abraham, Annibale Fontana Italian, Bronze, dark brown patina, Italian, Milan
Sacrifice of Abraham
Annibale Fontana
late 16th–early 17th century
Ferdinando Francesco II d'Avalos of Aquino, Marquis of Pescara (ca. 1530–1571), Annibale Fontana Italian, Bronze, brown patina, cast, Italian
Ferdinando Francesco II d'Avalos of Aquino, Marquis of Pescara (ca. 1530–1571)
Annibale Fontana
ca. 1560–70
Male term figure, Annibale Fontana Italian, Bronze, Italy or France
Male term figure
Annibale Fontana
late 17th century
The Abduction of Dejanira, Annibale Fontana Italian, Bronze, Italian, Milan
The Abduction of Dejanira
Annibale Fontana
16th century

Related Content

Timeline of Art History

Entries from The Met's art encyclopedia.

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

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.