18th century ITALIAN school, after John of Bologna, dit Giambologna (1529-1608) Hercules knocking down the centaur Nessus Bronze with brown patina. H: 41 cm Related works: - John of Bologna, Hercules Fighting the Centaur Nessus, marble, Florence, Loggia dei Lanzi; - Ferdinando Tacca and Pietro Tacca, Hercules Overthrowing the Centaur Nessus, circa 1640-1650, gilt bronze, H. 67; L. 44; P. 45 cm, London, The Wallace Collection, inv. no. S118. The group was first made in silver by John of Bologna as part of a series on the theme of the works of Hercules commissioned by François de Medici in the 1570's. Between 1594 and 1599, the Italian master executed a marble version for the Grand Duke Ferdinand I de Medici. A first series of bronzes was then created by Pietro Tacca, reinterpreting the silver models of John of Bologna. The model of our bronze then met with great success, resulting in numerous editions in various sizes over the following centuries.