Drie terracotta sculpturen van Theseus, Mercurius Criophorus en Hercules before 1857

These are three terracotta sculptures of Theseus, Mercurius Criophorus, and Hercules, by Marcel Gustave Laverdet. These sculptures represent classical figures, embodying ideals of masculinity and heroism that have been historically revered and emulated. Yet, if we consider the tales of Theseus, Mercurius, and Hercules, we find narratives filled with complexities and contradictions. Their stories often involve violence, conquest, and the subjugation of others, reflecting the power dynamics inherent in classical mythology and the societies that valorized them. Laverdet's sculptures invite us to contemplate the legacies of these figures and the values they represent. Do they perpetuate traditional narratives of power and dominance, or do they offer a space for reinterpretation and critique? Perhaps, in the act of sculpting, Laverdet seeks to grapple with the weight of history. This image encourages us to question the stories we tell about ourselves and the figures we choose to celebrate.