Hercules op wolken 1687 - 1713

This print, Hercules op wolken, was made by Paul Decker the Elder, likely in Amsterdam, around 1700. It depicts Hercules, sitting on clouds with his club, accompanied by a lion and putti carrying a covered urn. The Dutch Republic in the early 18th century was a society steeped in classical learning. The figure of Hercules, borrowed from ancient myth, would have signified virtuous strength for contemporary viewers. Representations of him in this period were often used as allegories for leadership, and Decker made other prints showing Hercules in the service of William III. This image probably had a similar purpose, with the urn perhaps containing the emblems of power that Hercules is being asked to defend. In this light, we can ask whether the artist was commenting on the social structures of his time, perhaps making a plea for strong leadership during a period of political change. These political connotations are ripe for further study. Art historians might consult documents such as emblem books or political pamphlets to understand the print’s meaning.