Who created "Head of Hercules"?

Head of Hercules was created by Giuseppe Girometti in second quarter 19th century.

When was "Head of Hercules" created?

This artwork was created second quarter 19th century.

Is "Head of Hercules" in the public domain?

Yes, Head of Hercules is in the public domain and available for free download under CC0 license.

Head of Hercules

Giuseppe Girometti

second quarter 19th century

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

Culture

Italian, Rome

Department

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Museum

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY

Credit

The Milton Weil Collection, 1940

Accession Number

40.20.37

Tags

HeadsHercules

Art Historical Context

Behold the *Head of Hercules*, a cameo carved by Giuseppe Girometti in sardonyx during the second quarter of the19th century. Thisutive gem, measuring just 1¼ x 1 x 3⅝ inches, captures the mythological hero's rugged profile with astonishing precision. Hailing from Rome—then a hub for virtuoso lapidary arts—Girometti, a celebrated Italian engraver, drew on classical antiquity to evoke Hercules' iconic strength and leonine features, as suggested by the work's tags. Sardonyx, a layered chalcedony with contrasting bands of white and darker tones, was the ideal medium for such intaglios and cameos...

Head of Hercules

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