Italian, early 17th century, After the Antique and Guglielmo della Porta (c.1500-1577)

Whitney Warren, California;
sold Sotheby's London, 9th July 1992, lot. 77

There is dirt and wear to the surface consistent with age and handling. The proper left arm and hand from the middle of the forearm are lost. The mound, club and lion skin have been broken and restored; there is a metal pole and glue visible to the interior. There are a few stable losses to the terracotta at the breaks, including to the right of the club. The piece has been cast in sections and joints are visible, including to both legs above the knees. There are a number of stable hairline cracks throughout, in particular to the back of the figure. There is black discolouration at the proper left lower leg, as is visible in the printed catalogue. There is also some discolouration to the lionskin at the front and to the testicles. Otherwise the condition is good. The slate base is in good condition with minor wear.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

It was noted in the 1992 sale catalogue that the restorer Anne Brodrick had discovered that the legs, arms and head are solid whereas the torso and club support are hollow. Giambologna used a similar technique for his terracotta model of Florence Triumphant over Pisa. According to the catalogue, Brodrick identified cut lines in the terracotta which would have divided the model into eight sections. These would have been used to produce a wax replica for casting in bronze. The terracotta was subsequently fired, indicating that it was thought worthy of preservation.

The Farnese Hercules is first definitely recorded by Aldrovandi in 1556, by which time it was in the Palazzo Farnese. According to the sculptor Guglielmo della Porta (c.1500-1577), the head had been found in a well in Trastevere six years before the legless body was discovered in the Baths of Caracalla. Della Porta, on the recommendation of Michelangelo, was given the task of sculpting the missing legs and his restoration was retained, even after the discovery of the original legs soon afterwards. The legs and body were not reassembled until 1787. The present terracotta follows the statue as restored by della Porta. The antique Farnese Hercules is today housed in the Museo Nazionale in Naples.

The present lot was offered in 1992 with a thermoluminescence analysis report from the Oxford Research Laboratory stating that a sample from the terracotta [No. 481q27] was last fired between 460 and 300 years ago, ie. between 1531 and 1691.

RELATED LITERATURE
J. Robertson, 'Three works ascribed to Stefano Maderno,' The Burlington Magazine, LXIX, Oct. 1936, p. 176, pl. 1; F. Haskell and N. Penny, Taste and the Antique. The Lure of Classical Sculpture 1500-1900, New Haven and Yale, 1981, pp. 229-232, no. 46