Hercules Fighting the Nemean Lion by Giovanni Antonio da Brescia

Hercules Fighting the Nemean Lion after 1507

pencil drawn

facial expression drawing

light pencil work

pencil sketch

personal sketchbook

pencil drawing

pen-ink sketch

sketchbook drawing

portrait drawing

pencil work

Giovanni Antonio da Brescia's "Hercules Fighting the Nemean Lion" is a powerful engraving from after 1507, depicting the Greek hero Hercules grappling with the fearsome Nemean lion. The artwork is characterized by its detailed and realistic rendering of the figures, particularly Hercules' muscular physique and the lion's ferocious expression. The dynamic composition, with Hercules seemingly crushing the lion's head with his bare hands, captures the intensity of the myth. The engraving's inscription "D. HERC. IN VICTO," or "Hercules has conquered," emphasizes the triumphant nature of the scene. This piece, now housed in the Rijksmuseum, stands as a testament to Brescia's skill in capturing both the classical mythology and the human struggle against insurmountable odds.

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rijksmuseum over 1 year ago

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Slaying the Nemean lion was the first of the Twelve Labours of Hercules. It was a favourite subject among artists, representing the victory of human virtue over bestial lust. The engraver used a now-lost drawing by Mantegna for this print. He rendered light and shade with parallel lines, creating the illusion of a depiction of an ancient marble sculpture.