Media Information

 
 
 
Collection:
ADJUNCT MODULE C: WORLD ART
Preferred Title:
Terracotta Group of Hercules and Minerva
Alternate Title:
Gruppo di Ercole e Minerva
Image View:
Detail, head of Hercules with thick curls and traces of polychrome
Creator:
unknown (Etruscan sculptor)
Location:
repository: Museo Nazionale Etrusco (Villa Giulia) (Rome, Lazio, Italy)
Location Note:
Piazzale di Villa Giulia, 9
GPS:
41.918375 12.477657
Date:
ca. 500 BCE (creation)
Cultural Context:
Etruscan
Style Period:
Etruscan; Late Archaic
Work Type 1:
sculpture (visual work)
Classification:
Sculpture and Installations
Material:
terracotta; polychrome (paint)
Technique:
modeling (forming)
Subjects:
deities; mythology (Classical); Athena (Greek deity); Heracles (Greek mythological character); Hercules (Roman mythological character)
Description:
The group depicts the introduction of the hero Hercules (Hercle in Etruscan) into Olympus by the goddess, Minerva (Menrva in Etruscan; Athena in Greek), his protector. The terracotta was shaped by hand and has traces of polychrome painting on it. In the second half of the 6th century BCE the Ionian style of the Greek cities of Asia Minor captivated the Mediterranean world and fine Late Archaic style temple terracottas such as these were produced; these are from the sanctuary of Minerva at Portonaccio (Veii) (ca. 515-ca. 490 BCE). (Source: Grove Art Online; http://www.oxfordart online.com/)
Collection:
Archivision Adjunct Module C: World Art
Identifier:
7A3-E-VG-GEM-A03
Rights:
© Scott Gilchrist, Archivision, Inc.

Terracotta Group of Hercules and Minerva