Pollaiuolo's Hercules

Polla, Pollaiu,....That Guy (we can't pronounce his name)

• Excels in portraying action and motion
• Mythological subjects
• No one since Hellenistic period depicted the figure in motion like this 
• Castagno attempted in his David shield, probably influenced Pollaiuo

Hercules

• 3 Paintings depicting the Labors of Hercules (1460)
• Political significance
• favorite Florentine hero
• moved at the time of the Midici's expulsion from Florence - political message
• Originals lost (but we have 2 smaller panels)
• Painted on Canvas, unusual material suggests unique use 
• Among first large scale mythological scenes

Hercules and the Hydra and Hercules and Antaeus (Hercules was fighting this guy who's mother was the Earth)

• Hercules is not represented as a glorious figure - straining muscles make him human
• Pollaiuolo shows a new interest in naturalism and "science" that is more vital and dynamic than ever
• Studied Body in Depth
• Dissected cadavers?
• Later rendered Antaeus composition in bronze sculpture
• electrified space around the sculpture
• Broke new ground with figures unposed, allowed to move realistically in space in any direction
• Preceded by Rossellino's work
• Some say piece on his right leg was added to keep it from tipping over - examine the axis 

-Abbie