The motif was originally made as a study to Bourdelle’s larger and most important work, the famous monument called "Monument aux Combattants et Défenseurs Tarn-et-Garonne” located in the artist's birthplace, Montauban. Two of the studies, Tete d'Hercules & Léffroi was bought by the state for the Musée du Luxembourg in 1902. Bourdelle made L'Effroi as an independent sculpture in 1909. One copy is displayed in Bourdellemuseet in Montparnasse, Paris.