Fragmentary bronze statuette of Herakles with lion's skin

Art Historical Context

This small bronze statuette, created in the Roman Imperial period between the first and third centuries CE, depicts the hero Herakles wearing the skin of the Nemean Lion—a signature attribute from one of his famous labors. Though fragmentary, the figure captures the muscular form and dynamic pose typical of representations of the demigod, who was widely revered across the Roman world as a symbol of strength, endurance, and protection. Bronze statuettes like this one were popular in Roman households and sanctuaries, often serving as votive offerings or decorative objects. Their modest scale—he...