The text discusses the three types of strong human figures as seen in ancient Greek statues, with a particular focus on the statue of Hercules by Glycon the Athenian. The description covers how this statue exemplifies strength and compares it to animalistic attributes, notably in its resemblance to a lion and bull. It also highlights the features of another Hercules statue found in Rome, emphasizing its elegance yet powerful form.
OF THE HUMAN FIGURE.
Of the three types of strong and robust men.
We observe, through ancient statues, that the Greeks distinguished three kinds of strong and vigorous bodies. We have an example of the first type in the statue of Hercules, a work perfect in all its parts, representing the greatest strength. Glycon, the Athenian, is the author of this masterpiece of sculpture, which can be seen in Rome in the courtyard of the Farnese Palace. As the strength of this demigod had to surpass all that could be imagined as strongest, the sculptor used features in this supernatural figure that most signify this character in the lion, bull, and even the horse. This is clearly seen in Hercules' hair, which resembles the mane of a lion or bull: the same is true for almost his entire head, resembling the bull: the forehead has something from the bull and lion: the neck knot and its attachment on the shoulders are fleshy and full of muscles like those of the bull. See plates I, II, III, & IV, and especially plate V.
In Rome, among the antiques, there is another statue of Hercules of a more elegant stature and less bulk. His chest is more elevated, his shoulders wider, his arms longer, his hands larger; the muscles of the abdomen firmer and more compact; the hip is sagging; his thighs are of beautiful thickness and an impeccable shape, tapering down to the foot; the heel is a bit large. All the extremities of this figure's limbs