The Farnese Hercules is a Roman marble statue depicting the mythological hero Hercules (Heracles in Greek mythology). The statue was signed by an unknown artist called Glykon. The name sounds Greek, however, some scholars maintain that the artist may have worked in Rome.
Sculpted around the early 3rd century, the statue is believed to be a copy of an earlier Greek statue from the 4th century BC. The original bronze statue is believed to have been made by Lysippos, the famed Greek sculptor of the 4th century BC.
The statue shows Hercules standing in a relaxed pose, with his club resting on his shoulder and the Nemean lion’s skin draped over his arm. The sculpture is notable for its incredible level of detail and realism, especially in the depiction of Hercules’ muscular physique.
As of 2023, the Farnese Hercules is housed in the National Archaeological Museum of Naples (Museo Archeologico Nazionale).
