Young Hercules Killing the Snakes 1500 - 1538

"Young Hercules Killing the Snakes" is a 16th-century engraving by German Renaissance artist Albrecht Altdorfer. This small print depicts a young Hercules seated and crushing a serpent with his foot, a reference to the myth of his slaying the snakes sent by Hera. The use of cross-hatching lines and a focus on anatomy are hallmarks of Altdorfer's style, indicative of the influence of the Northern Renaissance on his work. The print was created during a period of significant artistic development in Germany and is a testament to Altdorfer's mastery of the engraving technique.