Hercules (Piero della Francesca)

Hercules by Piero della Francesca refers to a detached fresco painting by the Italian Renaissance artist Piero della Francesca. It is one of his less well-known works and is currently located in the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston.

The fresco depicts the mythological hero Hercules standing in a contrapposto pose, holding a club. The subject matter and style are consistent with Piero della Francesca's other works, which are characterized by their geometrical clarity, balanced composition, and serene atmosphere. The figure of Hercules is rendered with a robust physicality and a certain stoic grace.

Originally, the fresco was located in the artist's own house in Sansepolcro, Tuscany. It was later detached and eventually made its way into the collection of Isabella Stewart Gardner, becoming one of the prized works in her museum. The fresco provides insight into the secular commissions Piero della Francesca accepted, in addition to his more prominent religious works. Its relatively small size and placement in a private residence suggest it was intended for a more intimate viewing context.