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| Keywords: Annibale Fontana - Plaque with Hercules Attacking the Lernean Hydra - Walters 4170.jpg This engraved plaque along with Walters 41 71 show scenes from the life of the mythological hero Hercules and were initially set into a sumptuous gilded casket that belonged to the ducal Gonzaga family of Mantua Hercules was famous for his strength and virtue and princes often surrounded themselves with his image as an ideal for and an idealized image of themselves This scene is from the Twelve Labors of Hercules tasks given to him by King Eurystheus who thought they were impossible to accomplish including killing a many-headed hydra dragon At some point the casket was taken apart; eight related plaques are preserved Hercules's powerful musculature reveals Fontana's study of ancient sculpture His reputation as a fine engraver of rock crystal was widespread In 1585 the duke of Savoy commissioned from him a casket decorated with plaques similar to this for Archduchess Isabella on the occasion of her marriage ca 1560 1570 Renaissance rock crystal enamel and gold cm 10 3 13 3 accession number 41 70 3013 Henry Walters Baltimore date and mode of acquisition unknown Walters Art Museum Henry Walters Acquired by Henry Walters World of Wonder The Walters Art Gallery Baltimore 1971-1972 La Celeste Galleria dei Gonzaga Il Museum dei duchi di Mantova tra Mantegna Rubens e Guido Reni Palazzo Te Mantua 2002-2003 place of origin Milan Italy Walters Art Museum license Renaissance applied arts in the Walters Art Museum Annibale Fontana Rock crystal objects Media contributed by the Walters Art Museum needs category review | ||||
