Head of Hercules
Cameo. Sardonyx-onyx. 27 BCE — 14 CE.
Inv. No. 25851.Naples, National Archaeological MuseumPhoto by Luciano Pedicini
Head of Hercules.
Cameo. Sardonyx-onyx. 27 BCE — 14 CE.
Inv. No. 25851.
Naples, National Archaeological Museum
(Napoli, Museo archeologico nazionale).
Origin:
From the Medici collection.
Description:
On the grounds of its exquisite craftsmanship, its style and the iconographic motif of the isolated head seen in profile, this work has been attributed to Gnaios, an engraver of the Alexandrine school of the Augustan age. It is a magnificent three-layer cameo in which the two colours of the stone are used to highlight the white profile of the face of the hero on the dark background and the dark, white-bordered leonté on his hair.
Credits:
© 1996. Photo, text: Stefano De Caro, “The National Archaeological Museum of Naples”.
Soprintendenza Archeologica di Napoli e Caserta. Electa, Napoli, 2001, p. 342.
© 1996. Photo: Luciano Pedicini.
Soprintendenza Archeologica di Napoli e Caserta. Electa, Napoli, 2001, p. 342.
© 1996. Photo: Luciano Pedicini.
Keywords: gemma glyptics gem gems glittica gliptica gemme glyptik glyptique ελληνική μυθολογία mythologia graeca greek mythology mitologia greca griechische mythologie grecque ρωμαϊκή romana roman römische romaine ἡρακλῆς ηρακλής herakles heracles èracle eracle héraclès hercules ercole herkules hercule romano romani römischer romain καμέα κάμερες cameo cameos cammeo cammei kamee camée kameo sardonyx sardonica-onyx head of skin hide fell lion from the medici collection engraver carver gem-cutter gnaios inv no 25851
