HERCULES AND LION 1928

Alexander Calder created ‘Hercules and Lion’ using wire to push the boundaries of sculpture. Calder was working in Paris in the 1920s and 30s, when many artists were experimenting with new ways of representing the world. With its spindly limbs and cartoonish features, it’s easy to overlook the classical origins of this subject. Hercules was a mythological hero known for his incredible strength and courage. Calder created this sculpture in the United States, where myths of self-made men abounded. By depicting the classical hero in such a playful way, Calder is humorously commenting on the way that individuals become mythologized. Further research into Calder's biography and the cultural context of the 20th-century United States can offer richer insights into his work. By examining the social and institutional forces at play, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the ways in which art reflects and shapes our understanding of the world.