Hercules and the Hind of Cerynia, Rare 19th century bronze.

Superb and rare bronze group with brown patina depicting the third of Hercules' twelve labors: Capturing the deer of Cerynia.

Eurystheus, king of Tirynthe and Mycenae, orders Hercules to bring back alive to Mycenae the hind of Cerynia, then living in Œnoé (Argolides). This sacred animal is a doe with golden horns and bronze hooves, dedicated to Artemis.
Since he didn't want to hurt it, let alone kill it, Hercules had to chase it for a whole year. Finally, the doe, exhausted by so much running, takes refuge on Mount Artemision; it's there that Heracles captures her, loads her on his shoulders and heads for Arcadia. But on the way, the son of Zeus encounters Artemis and Apollo.
The goddess, furious, snatched the doe from his shoulders and accused him of trying to kill her sacred animal.
Hercules apologized and explained all the facts, pointing out that Eurystheus alone was guilty.
Artemis, understanding the situation, allowed Hercules to take the doe back to Mycenae without harming her.

To reassure the reader, the story has a happy ending.
In the morning, Eurystheus went to the cell where the doe was held captive, intending to have her golden horns cut off.
But when he opened the door to the gaol, the animal had disappearedCOPY00Artemis, in another place, sketched a victorious smile.

Very fine cast from the second quarter of the 19th century, later mounted on a black marble base (small chip in one corner).

Provenance: Lord George Farrow Collection (1916-2001), Christie's then Hutchinson sale, November 2011.

Dimensions :
Height 34 cm
Width 34.5 cm

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Ref: A9V76VSU3L