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Hercules and the Nemean Lion

Hercules and the Nemean Lion is a bronze sculpture by Max Klein showing Heracles in combat with the Nemean Lion. Created in 1878–1879, it was cast and patinated in bronze and later set on a marble base in 2009. The work stands in the Kolonnadenhof in front of the Alte Nationalgalerie in Berlin. The subject comes from Greek mythology: the defeat of the invincible Nemean Lion is the first of the Twelve Labors of Heracles, a story often adapted in art and literature.

Bronze sculpture of Hercules wrestling the Nemean Lion on a stone pedestal.
Hercules and the Nemean Lion, a bronze sculpture by Max Klein, shown on its pedestal in Berlin-Mitte.
November 2013 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
Bronze sculpture of Hercules wrestling the Nemean Lion on a stone pedestal.
Hercules and the Nemean Lion, a bronze sculpture shown on its pedestal with greenery and a building in the background.
June 2015 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Bronze sculpture of Hercules grappling with the Nemean Lion on a stone pedestal outdoors.
Hercules and the Nemean Lion, a bronze sculpture shown on a pedestal beside landscaped greenery and a classical building.
April 2017 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dark bronze Hercules and the Nemean Lion statue on a stone pedestal beside a grand stone building.
Hercules and the Nemean Lion in dark bronze, displayed on a pedestal near a grand stone building.
July 2019 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Weathered bronze base of Hercules and the Nemean Lion with the inscription \
Detail of Hercules and the Nemean Lion, showing the weathered bronze base with Max Klein’s inscription and date.
July 2008 © Axel Mauruszat · CC BY 2.0 de

Identification

TitleHercules and the Nemean Lion
Original German titleHerkules mit dem Nemeïschen Löwen
Alternative titlesHerkules mit dem Nemeïschen Löwen ringend; Der Löwenkämpfer
Object typeBronze sculpture

Historical context

Date created1878-1879
Mythological subjectHeracles fighting the Nemean lion
Stylistic descriptionNeo-Baroque group

Creator

ArtistMax Klein
FoundryH. Gladenbeck u. Sohn

Iconography and meaning

Mythological contextThe fight with the invulnerable Nemean lion comes from Greek mythology
Historical significanceThe killing of the lion is the first of the Twelve Labors of Hercules
ReceptionThe story is often adapted in visual art and literature

Physical characteristics

Inscription on the baseM. KLEIN / HERKULES MIT DEM NEMEISCHEN LÖWEN
BaseMarble base added in 2009
Inscription on the plinthMax Klein. fec. 1879.
MaterialBronze, cast and patinated

Discovery and provenance

Original locationThe park of the Villa am Großen Wannsee, belonging to Berlin entrepreneur and patron Eduard Arnhold
Original owner / collectorEduard Arnhold
Acquired by the State MuseumsPurchased in 1973/1974 from the Arnhold collection on behalf of Peter Bloch, then head of the sculpture collection of the Staatliche Museen Preußischer Kulturbesitz Berlin

Location and ownership

Installation site in 1975Rectangular concrete pedestal at Arnimallee in the Dahlem museum complex
Relocated in2009
Current locationKolonnadenhof in front of the Alte Nationalgalerie in Berlin, Germany
Current pedestalPlaced on a new pedestal in 2009

History and restoration

Installation year at Dahlem museum complex1975

Significance

First public attentionIt brought Max Klein to public attention in art circles for the first time

Other

Protected heritage statusDesignated component of the cultural monument Old National Gallery and part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Berlin Museum Island