Hercules and Nessus

Fabulous work by Gianbologna

Hercules, Hercules, is the greatest demigod hero of Greek mythology. Hercules was equivalent to Hercules (Hercules) in Roman mythology, and later Roman emperors often used to descend from their own descendants. The Styx ferry to Nessus, intending to misbehave against Hercules's wife, and caused the wrong person to be killed by Hercules. Nessus told Hercules' wife that Centaur's blood can ensure her husband's loyalty, and she will not change her heart until she dies. The stupid wife believed the ghost story, secretly concealed the blood of Nessus, and dyed Hercules' robe. Later, when the robe saw the light and set fire, Hercules was burned to death on the spot. Niersos was right. Everyone died, of course, it was too late to change his mind. Because of Hera's curse, Hercules killed her child in madness. In order to eliminate this sin, he was required to complete ten tasks, and his sin would be cleared and gain an immortal reputation. Hercules completed these tasks, but Orestos did not acknowledge the task of cleaning the ox burdock of Orgas, because Hercules asked for compensation for this task; he did not accept Hercules' killing " The task of Hydra, because Hercules completed this task with the help of others. Therefore, Orlistes put forward two new tasks, and Hercules also successfully completed them, so it was twelve great causes. Nessus, English: Nessus (mythology), an ancient Greek mythological figure, half-human and half-horse, responsible for ferrying the Styx affairs and being evil.

The Flemish sculptor Giambologna finished this statue in 1599, being one of the most important sculptors of the Medici court. The work was sculpted from a single block of marble. Impressive. The work is exhibited outdoors, in the Loggia dei Lanzi located in Piazza della Signoria in Florence.

Hercules and the centaur Nessus is a marble statue of the sculptor Giambologna, located in Florence in the Loggia dei Lanzi. This sculptural group was placed first, in 1599, on the Canto dei Carnesecchi in Florence, then it was moved under the Uffizi porch, on the southern side; later it was placed on the square which is located near the Ponte Vecchio, on the left bank of the Arno and, in 1812, it found its definitive seat in the Loggia dei Lanzi in Piazza della Signoria. The sculpture is characterized by the great plastic force expressed by the powerful, almost elastic, twist of the body of the centaur Nessus, bent by the strength of Hercules.

Beautiful statue "Hercules and the Centaur", or the body of the centaur bent by the strength of Hercules. Sculpture by Giambologna from the end of 1500. It is part of the sculptures of the Loggia dei Lanzi. One of the beauties of Italy in the open, and every tourist can enjoy it for free. As Philippe Daverio would say: Museo Aggratis.

The sculptural composition "Hercules and the Centaur" (1599) is a marble statue of the sculptor Giambologna, located in Florence in the famous Loggia Lanzi, a strikingly beautiful structure facing the Piazza della Signoria and is a vivid example of late Gothic architecture. Giambologna is the Italian name of Jean de Boulogne, a sculptor from Flanders who deeply absorbed the Italian spirit, and also received private lessons from the famous master Michelangelo and even adopted his style of work a little. The sculptural group "Hercules and the Centaur" has changed its location many times. Her last refuge is Loggia Lanzi. Until now, this composition amazes with its plasticity and expression of the power and strength of the bodies of Hercules and the centaur Ness. After completing all 12 feats, Hercules (in Roman mythology, and in Greek mythology - Hercules) married the royal daughter Deianira. After the wedding, Hercules and his wife went to Tiryns, an ancient city on the Peloponnese peninsula, and on the way met the centaur Nessus, who was transporting travelers across the river Evena. Nessus decided to kidnap Deianira, and Hercules was forced to kill the centaur.

Nessus seems to be a centaur. Both Nessus and Centaurus seem to be Latin, so why are there two notations? It may be interesting to look around here. In mythology, the centaur is shot by Hercules with an arrow, but in this sculpture it is described as being beaten.

Located in the Loggia dei Lanzi in Piazza della Signoria in Florence. The work was created by Gianbologna (Jean Boulogne) in marble in 1500 and represents the mythological hero Hercules defeating the centaur Nessus. The sculpture was placed in other places before being placed in the Loggia della Signoria, where it is in excellent company among the great works at its side: Perseus and Medusa, The rape of the Sabines, Patroclus and Menelaus. The Opera depicts Hercules bending the centaur's body in an almost unnatural twist with his strength. And it is precisely in this twist that Gianbologna's ability to create the twist in every single detail can be seen. Another work of Florence that absolutely cannot be missed.