Hercules and Iole 1544

"Hercules and Iole" is a 1544 engraving by the German Renaissance artist Sebald Beham. The print depicts the mythological scene where Hercules, riding a horse, battles Eurytus, King of Oechalia, and his son Iole. The scene is set in a woodland landscape with the dramatic battle unfolding in the foreground. The detail of the horses and the figures' muscular forms is typical of Beham's style, which drew inspiration from classical antiquity. Beham's prints, such as this one, were popular among collectors and helped to spread knowledge of classical mythology during the Renaissance. This scene is a dramatic and dynamic depiction of a famous myth that showcases Beham's talent for detailed engraving.