42 ROMAN BRONZE INFANT HERAKLES KILLING A SNAKE Son of Zeus and Alkmene, the name Herakles means "gift of Hera." However, this angered Hera as she was not his mother, so she sent snakes into his crib but he strangled them, one in each hand, before they could strike him. 2nd Century AD. H. 4 1/8 in. (10.5 cm.) Ex European private collection acquired in the 1970s. Published: J. Eisenberg, Art of the Ancient World, vol. XXI, 2010, no. 60. 43 ROMAN BRONZE HERAKLES, THE SO-CALLED FARNESE HERCULES The nude hero is depicted in middle age. Originally, he leaned on his club covered with the skin of a lion, now missing. He holds in his right hand the apples of the Hesperides. 1st-2nd Century AD. H. 6 7/8 in. (17.5 cm.) Ex old French collection, acquired from Galerie Serres, Paris. Superb style!
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