Hercules [obverse] c. 1544

This bronze Hercules, likely crafted by Master HB in the mid-16th century, is a testament to the power of skilled handwork. The artist would have started with a wax model, meticulously carving the details of Hercules’ profile. This model was then encased in a mold, and molten bronze poured in. The inherent qualities of the bronze - its capacity to capture fine details, its weight, its potential for a lustrous surface – all contribute to the artwork's impact. The social context is also key: bronze casting at this time required considerable infrastructure, and this artwork would have been made in a workshop setting, involving a number of people with different skills. Understanding the materials and processes involved allows us to appreciate this object's full meaning, moving beyond traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.