Herakles kæmper mod Geryon 1574 - 1577

Hendrick Goltzius created this print, "Herakles Fighting Geryon," in the Netherlands, sometime in the late 16th century. It shows the Greek hero Hercules in battle, a popular subject in Renaissance art. But this isn't just about celebrating classical heroes. The print was made during the Dutch Revolt against Spanish rule. Hercules, with his strength and courage, becomes a stand-in for the Dutch people fighting for their freedom. The monster Geryon, with his three bodies, could be seen as representing the oppressive Spanish monarchy. The heroic nude was a familiar visual trope that linked the fight for Dutch independence to the heroism of the ancient world. Understanding this print means diving into the history of the Dutch Revolt, exploring the role of classical imagery in political propaganda, and understanding the printmaking industry. These kinds of historical resources can help us understand art as something deeply connected to its time.