ROSSI, Vincenzo de'
(b. 1525, Fiesole, d. 1587, Firenze)

Hercules and Antaeus

1568
Marble, over life-size
Palazzo Vecchio, Florence

After Heracles completed the first ten labours, Eurystheus gave him two more. The first additional labour was to steal three of the golden apples from the garden of the Hesperides. Heracles at the end of this task, meets Antaeus, who was invincible as long as he touched his mother, Gaia, the Earth. Heracles killed Antaeus by holding him aloft and crushing him in a bear hug.