Hercules And Hydra Sculpture Analysis

At first glance, the Hercules and the Hydra sculpture is easy to pass by. Located in the outside sculpture garden it stands on a slightly elevated bronze platform, which stands on a bigger, more elevated concrete pedestal that also rests on a larger concrete pedestal that has four embedded lights, each on one corner. The viewing area is large and allows for the audience to view the sculpture up close and far, while still being able circumambulate around the statue at a variety of distances. Because of the vastness of the space around the sculpture, at first glance from the walkway, the sculpture does not seem to be a big piece. However, the closer the proximity towards the sculpture, the bigger the piece seems to get, appearing as if Hercules …show more content…
As Hercules is shown in mid-motion, looking as if he can move to finish his action, there is a clear connection between this piece and Diskobolos, which also depicts a nude male that is in mid-motion about to throw a disk. He also is in an unnatural pose that would not be practical for throwing a disk, as it would be the same for Hercules if he were to really fight the hydra. They are both shown with idealistic bodies that are extremely high in detail as they show the protruding bones under the skin and details of the muscles. Though both depict idealized figures, there is a difference in the concept of the ideal as Hercules is muscular and large, while the Diskobolos is slimmer but with still a little muscle. Also, the Diskobolos incorporates an outstretched arm that is echoed in Hercules’ elevated leg. Both are able to keep balance in their piece even with the two outstretched limbs, the head in Diskobolos and the arms in Hercules. The Diskobolos has a stand to help bolster it, while the Hercules does not. In fact, the only support it has is its own leg and the hydra’s tail, which are both an integral part of the piece, whereas the chunk in the Diskobolos is not. Overall, the Hercules and the Hydra is a massive sculpture piece that is able to carry out its purpose in order to depict Hercules in a moment of action, while still being able to glorify his body and capture his character simultaneously. The artists’ ability to create real human emotions on the sculpture’s face makes the piece able to drag the audience into the moment in time when Hercules was battling the