Hercules Strangling the Nemean Lion, Bronze sculpture in Piazza Ognissanti, Florence, Italy
Hercules Strangling the Nemean Lion is a bronze sculpture in Piazza Ognissanti that depicts two mythological figures locked in fierce physical combat. The intertwined forms convey raw strength and dramatic movement between the human hero and the wild creature.
Romano Romanelli created this monumental bronze work in 1937 as a new installation in the city. The sculpture emerged during a period of significant political transformation in Italy.
The sculpture shows the hero from Greek mythology facing one of his most famous trials against a fearsome creature from ancient stories. Visitors can observe how this moment of struggle and determination was captured in metal.
The statue stands in the center of Piazza Ognissanti, easy to find and accessible from multiple directions. The square sits near the Arno River and fits naturally into walking routes through the city.
A casting of this work was displayed at a major exhibition in Berlin during the 1930s and gained international attention. The piece thus became part of the broader European art conversation of that era beyond just Florence.
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