Hercules and the Nemean Lion 1498 - 1502

The "Hercules and the Nemean Lion" is a bronze plaquette created by Moderno, an Italian artist active in the early 16th century. The piece depicts the legendary hero Hercules grappling with the Nemean lion, a creature with impenetrable skin. Moderno, whose real name was Giovanni Francesco Rustici, was known for his detailed and expressive sculptures and plaquettes. The plaquette's intricate relief work and dynamic composition highlight the struggle between man and beast, a popular theme in Renaissance art. The plaquette is housed at the SMK - Statens Museum for Kunst in Denmark.