To siddende kvindefigurer omkring en medaillon med Herakles' (eller Samsons) kamp med løven 1671 - 1738

Hendrik Krock created this drawing of two seated female figures around a medallion featuring Herakles, or Samson, wrestling a lion, sometime between 1671 and 1738. During this time, Europe was experiencing shifts in power, religion, and philosophy, influencing art to explore themes of strength, virtue, and classical narratives. The drawing presents us with a central scene of a male hero in combat, flanked by two seated female figures, their expressions and gestures seemingly offering commentary on the heroic struggle. Considering this piece through a feminist lens, we might ask whether these women are merely allegorical figures meant to glorify male heroism, or do they possess agency within the narrative? How might their roles reflect the limited spaces women occupied in the social and cultural structures of Krock's time? The artist’s choice to depict this scene raises questions about societal values and the roles assigned to different genders. The drawing provides a window into the complex interplay between historical narratives, gender roles, and artistic expression.