Herakles’ 4th Labor: The Erymanthian Boar by Antimenes Painter

This savage boar was ravaging the countryside around Mount Erymanthos. Herakles’s 4th labour was to capture it and bring it at home for his task-master Eurystheus, to see. Here Herakles is shown trundling the huge boar in front of Iolaus and Hermes. In the center is the pithos, with Eurystheus frightened by the monstrous animal and holding up his hands in supplication. Herakles has his left foot on the rim, is dressed in a short chiton, with his sword at is left side, and holds the boar head down over his shoulder preparatory to hurling it upon Eurystheus. Herakles appears together two male figures. Behind him stands Iolaus, holding Herakles’ club, and opposite him Hermes with caduceus and winged shoes. These two supplementary figures are by far among the most popular in this group. The whole scene id depicted on the amphora shoulder between eyes.

 

CAV / CAVI @ www.beazley.ox.ac.uk

 

Source: Museum notice

 

Attic black figured amphora

Height : 39,50 cm. ; Diam. : 26,60 cm.

Attributed to Antimenes Painter by Beazley

520- 510 BC

From Vulci, Viterbo

Paris, Musée du Louvre, F 202

 

Done