Hercules and the Hydra
attributed to Andrew Carpenter (c.1677 - London 1737)
Category
Art / Sculpture
Date
Unknown
Materials
Lead, Stone
Measurements
160 cm (Height)
Order this imageCollection
Powis Castle and Garden, Powys
NT 1181258.1
Summary
A life size lead figure of Hercules fighting a many headed hydra of stone; signed Andries Carpentiere. Hercules stands naked with club raised over his left shoulder, and wears a masked lion skin on his head, astride the hydra which turns four heads up at him. The whole set on standstone plinth. Figure based on Thomass's 1694 engraving 'Hercule Tuant L'Hyra'. Listed building - Grade II* - 'Statue of Hercules at the east of the Top Terrace at Powis Castle' (16783)
Provenance
Amongst the sculpture within the grounds of Powis Castle and Gardens and part of the original bequest of the property in 1952. Although originally part of the 18th century water gardens, this sculpture was then moved to the roof of the 1668 Stables and is picture in a sketch of the West gateway 1822 by John Chessell Buckler held at the British Library. It was moved to it's current location in the 1920s after some conservation work done at the Powis Estate yards.
Marks and inscriptions
Unknown: Andries Carpentiere
Makers and roles
attributed to Andrew Carpenter (c.1677 - London 1737) , artist