Basin with Hercules and Cacus c. 1570

This is a maiolica, or tin-glazed earthenware, basin made by Orazio Fontana, likely in the mid-16th century. The circular form immediately draws us to the central image: Hercules battling Cacus. Fontana uses concentric bands to organize the visual space, layering symbolic motifs and mythological figures, creating a sense of dynamic movement. The carefully rendered details of the figures and decorative elements, combined with the vibrant colors—ochre, blues, greens—produce a rich, complex surface. The basin is more than just decorative, it reflects the cultural and intellectual interests of its time. The choice of classical subject matter, rendered with such detail, demonstrates a Renaissance fascination with antiquity. The overall structure—the way the images are organized and presented—encourages a reading that acknowledges the surface as both a carrier of images and a complex interplay of form and meaning. This challenges us to examine the relationship between the aesthetic qualities of the work and its cultural significance.