The Labors of Hercules: The Pillars of Hercules c. 1528

This print of ‘The Pillars of Hercules’ was created by Gabriel Salmon, most likely in the early 17th century. It depicts Hercules, a figure from classical mythology, bearing the weight of two large columns on his shoulders. The story of Hercules was extremely popular with European royalty in the 16th and 17th centuries. Hercules was perceived as the ideal ruler due to his strength, courage, and ability to overcome any challenge. The Pillars of Hercules were a symbol of the edge of the known world. By carrying them on his shoulders, Hercules becomes an icon of courage, strength, and exploration, implicitly commenting on the social structure of the time. To understand this print better, we can look to historical texts, prints, and other visual sources. Art is always contingent on its social and institutional context; the historian's job is to reconstruct that context as completely as possible.