The Greek mythological hero Heracles (Hercules in Roman mythology) was born Alcaeus but later renamed Hera-cles to mollify the goddess Hera who despised him for being the illegitimate product of her husband Zeus's affair. Incidentally, Hera unwittingly partially gave Heracles his superhuman strength by nursing him with divine milk as a baby, thanks to Athena's trickery. This incident is also the amusing (and hilarious) origin story of the Milky Way. Heracles is famous for his twelve labours, the first of which was to slay the Nemean Lion, a beast with impenetrable skin which Heracles conquered by beating it with his club and choking with a bear hug. Heracles later used its hide as his iconic cloak. The composition of my piece is based on the relief by Philippe-Laurent Roland at the Louvre. My thanks again to the Ceramic Art Studio and Shop.
Wet clay model
