The Infant Hercules Strangling Serpents in His Cradle (recto); Crowned Woman Kneeling in Landscape, and Other Sketches (verso) n.d.

This drawing by Prospero Fontana depicts the famous myth of the infant Hercules strangling serpents in his cradle. The scene, rendered in brown ink, is set in a bedroom with a four-poster bed and a window. It is likely a study for a larger painting, showcasing Fontana’s skill in capturing dynamic movement and anatomical detail. The drawing is a good example of the artist's interest in classical mythology and the use of pen and ink, a common medium in the Italian Renaissance. The Art Institute of Chicago houses this important example of Fontana's work.