Ercole e Anteo

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Ercole e Anteo (Hercules and Antaeus) by Teodoro Vanderstruck, 1687
Palazzo Cusani (Casa della Musica)
Piazzale San Francesco
Parma, May 2024

“The copper sculpture group of Hercules and Antaeus was created between 1684 and 1687 by the Flemish sculptor Van der Struck based on a design by Reti, at the Ducal Hammersmith in Colorno. The statue, depicting the fight between the mythological hero Hercules and the giant Antaeus, was intended to be an integral part of the fountain, as the water flowed directly from Antaeus' mouth. Today the original is located in the center of the courtyard of Palazzo Cusani, known as the House of Music, while the copy is in Via Repubblica leaning against the Palazzo del Comune in Parma. The statue was commissioned by Ranuccio II Farnese in 1684, to decorate a new fountain in the Ducal Garden. In fact, in that period various works were started to arrange the park in view of the wedding of Ranuccio's son, Odoardo III. The work was completed only in 1689, even if the engraving on the foot of Antaeus is dated 1687. The statue walking through the city The statue was dismantled around the middle of the eighteenth century on the occasion of the restructuring of the garden by Petitot. In May 1784 the sculptural group was requested from Duke Ferdinando by Count Cesare Ventura to be placed under the loggia of the internal courtyard of the Palazzo della Zecca di Governo, the current Casa della Musica.” (Ercole e Anteo, Talking Teens)