Hercules and Cerberus 1586 - 1629

Aegidius Sadeler II created this engraving, Hercules and Cerberus, sometime between the late 16th and early 17th centuries. This print captures a moment from the myth of Hercules, specifically his twelfth labor, where he's tasked with capturing Cerberus, the three-headed dog guarding the entrance to the Underworld. Sadeler’s work reflects the Renaissance fascination with classical mythology, but it also participates in the period's complex negotiations of power, control, and the monstrous. Hercules, often seen as the epitome of masculine strength, is depicted here not just as a hero, but as a figure of dominion over the untamed, the "feminine," the chthonic. The chained Cerberus becomes a symbol of subjugated wildness, a visual metaphor for the era's colonial and patriarchal impulses. The emotional tenor of this piece is one of conquest, but it also hints at the unease of controlling something inherently uncontrollable. Ultimately, this engraving invites us to reflect on the stories we tell about power and how these narratives shape our understanding of self and other.