The finished facsimile © Oak Taylor-Smith | Factum Foundation
The original sculpture was unearthed in the late 19th century. It is believed to be a Roman copy of a lost 5th-century BC bronze statue by Myron, originally made for the Sanctuary of Hera on the island of Samos (Greece). The small figure was probably made as a domestic cult object. Its refined nature suggests it was crafted in Rome during the early Antonine period (late 1st century–early 2nd century AD) as an opera nobilia — an artwork made for the Roman elite.
While the original remains in the MAN, the facsimile will offer renewed access to an object deeply tied to the archaeological history of Alcalá la Real, and the Roman past of the Andalucía region. The use of high-quality facsimiles is becoming an increasingly effective way to reconnect objects to their original location. Museums and other institutions were the main tools for protection, preservation, and display in the last century. Museums now have a responsibility to share the objects they look after and ensure that they can be engaged with as complex subjects sharing rich narratives. It is these narratives that shape our identity and collective memory.
The original sculpture © Factum Foundation
The original sculpture, recorded using photogrammetry © Factum Foundation
De-moulding the cast Hercules © Oak Taylor-Smith | Factum Foundation
Hand-polishing the cast © Oak Taylor-Smith | Factum Foundation
The facsimile in Factum’s workshops during the final retouches © Oak Taylor-Smith | Factum Foundation
