Hercules bij Omphale 1664

Zacharias Blijhooft created this drawing around 1664, using pen and brush with brown and gray ink. It is an interesting application of traditional materials to depict an unconventional scene. The story shows Hercules, the ultimate symbol of masculine strength, subservient to Omphale. As a punishment, Hercules was ordered to serve the Lydian queen, Omphale, for a year. During this time, she compelled him to dress as a woman and perform female tasks, while she wore his lion skin and carried his club. The artist's choice of ink, applied with both pen and brush, is significant. Pen and ink drawings were exercises, sketches, and studies to prepare for a more important painting. The strokes capture the flowing robes, the soft skin, and the contrast between Hercules's muscularity and Omphale's relaxed pose. In the end, Blijhooft uses an informal medium to portray a moment of social commentary, blurring the lines between the preparation and the final piece.