id:			132329
accession number:	1954.798
share license status:	CC0
url:			https://clevelandart.org/art/1954.798
updated:		2022-04-15 09:00:10.694000

Inkwell and Candlestick with the Infant Hercules Killing the Serpents, c. 1510–20. Workshop of Severo da Ravenna (Italian, c.1496-c.1543). Bronze; overall: 21 x 11 x 13 cm (8 1/4 x 4 5/16 x 5 1/8 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, John L. Severance Fund 1954.798

title:				Inkwell and Candlestick with the Infant Hercules Killing the Serpents
title in original language:	
series:				
series in original language:	
creation date:			c. 1510–20
creation date earliest:		1505
creation date latest:		1525
current location:		118 Italian Renaissance
creditline:			John L. Severance Fund
copyright:			

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culture:	Italy, Ravenna, 16th century
technique:	bronze
department:	European Painting and Sculpture
collection:	Sculpture
type:		Sculpture
find spot:	
catalogue raisonne: 

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CREATORS

* Severo da Ravenna (Italian, c.1496-c.1543)  - artist

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measurements: Overall: 21 x 11 x 13 cm (8 1/4 x 4 5/16 x 5 1/8 in.)
state of the work:	
edition of the work: 	

support materials:


inscriptions:

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CURRENT EXHIBITIONS

	title:		Images of the Mind
	opening date:   1987-07-07T04:00:00
	<i>Images of the Mind</i>. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (July 7-August 30, 1987).

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LEGACY EXHIBITIONS

* Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL, (fall, 1943-1944): "15th and 16th c. Sculpture in Bronze and Wood, lent by Dr. Ernst Wittman," (no cat.)

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PROVENANCE

	Pfungst;
	date: 
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	John Pierpont Morgan, 1837-1915 (New York, New York)
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	Ernö Wittmann (Budapest, Hungary), died 1963, sold through R. Stora & Co. (New York, New York) to the Cleveland Museum of Art, 1954.
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fun fact: 


digital description: 
In the early 1500s, Padua, a center of strong humanist traditions, encouraged the revival of classicism, and artists took their cues from descriptions in the works of classical authors. Classical small-scale bronzes grew in demand, and in response, the city's bourgeoning foundries produced a varied and extensive supply of small statues. Like many early Paduan bronzes, this work's utilitarian function—used to hold ink and to supply light—is complimented by its ornamental value. The base consists of an eagle claw, cast from life, supporting an equally realistic nautilus shell. Though medieval artists had occasionally used seashells to hold paints, the shell inkwell, whose small size makes it rather impractical to use, was a motif particular to Padua. Perched upon the shell is most likely Hercules, the son of Zeus. Perhaps aided by a staff (now missing) he is poised to strike a serpent, which according to myth was sent by Hera, the jealous wife of Zeus, to kill him. The dramatic opposition of hero and monster enhances the connection to the classical past, further meeting the desires of the educated patrons of Padua.

wall description: 
In addition to providing light and holding ink, this would have sparked the imagination and intellect of the Renaissance collector through its mixture of elements.
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RELATED WORKS

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CITATIONS

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IMAGES

web:	https://openaccess-cdn.clevelandart.org/1954.798/1954.798_web.jpg
print:	https://openaccess-cdn.clevelandart.org/1954.798/1954.798_print.jpg
full:	https://openaccess-cdn.clevelandart.org/1954.798/1954.798_full.tif