Hercules doodt de Nemeïsche leeuw c. 1506 - 1538

Albrecht Altdorfer created this miniature etching of Hercules and the Nemean Lion in 16th-century Germany. At just 44 by 36 millimeters, it packs a powerful punch. Altdorfer was working during the Reformation, and in the Germanic lands there was much debate about the role of art in the church and in public life. The story of Hercules, a classical hero, was well-known. But Altdorfer wasn’t simply illustrating a myth. Instead, Hercules’s triumph over the lion could be seen as a wider comment on social and political issues of the time. The lion, a symbol of power and ferocity, may have represented the challenges to social order. Hercules, a strong man subduing a wild beast, embodies the virtues of courage and perseverance. To fully understand this work, scholars consult historical texts, religious documents, and even political pamphlets from the period. These resources help us to understand the rich context in which Altdorfer was working and the artwork's complex relationship to the culture of its time.