Milo van Croton aangevallen door een leeuw c. 1540

Nicolò Boldrini made this print of Milo of Croton attacked by a lion in the 16th century. The image speaks to the Renaissance fascination with classical antiquity, but also its engagement with the social role of the hero. Here, Milo, a famed wrestler from ancient Greece known for his immense strength, meets a tragic end. Boldrini depicts Milo trapped in a tree trunk he attempted to split, now vulnerable to the attacking lion. The image, made in Italy, uses visual codes drawn from classical sculpture to glorify the human form and the ideals of strength and courage. However, it also serves as a cautionary tale. Milo's hubris, his overconfidence in his physical prowess, leads to his demise. Prints like this circulated widely, shaping public perceptions of heroism and the relationship between man and nature. To fully understand this print, one might research the classical sources of the Milo story, the artistic conventions of the Italian Renaissance, and the social function of athletic heroes in that period. The interpretation of art is always contingent on its social and institutional context.