Hercules vecht met Geryoneus (?) by Hendrick Goltzius

Hercules vecht met Geryoneus (?)

1575 - 1579

Hendrick Goltzius's Profile Picture

Hendrick Goltzius

1558 - 1617

Location

Rijksmuseum
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Artwork details

Medium
print, engraving
Dimensions
height 251 mm, width 346 mm
Location
Rijksmuseum
Copyright
Rijks Museum: Open Domain

Tags

#print#pen illustration#old engraving style#mannerism#figuration#history-painting#nude#engraving

About this artwork

Hendrick Goltzius created this engraving, Hercules vecht met Geryoneus (?), at an unknown date. In this tumultuous scene, we witness a battle that goes beyond mere physical confrontation, reflecting deeper cultural anxieties around power and identity. The hyper-masculine figure of Hercules, is set against Geryoneus in a struggle laden with gendered implications and colonial undertones. Consider the historical backdrop of Goltzius's time, a period marked by exploration and conquest. How do these themes resonate in the depiction of Hercules, the hero, against Geryoneus the presumed antagonist? The emotional intensity of the scene draws us in, challenging us to consider the narratives we inherit and the ones we create. Goltzius invites us to question not only the representation of strength and heroism, but also the social and political landscapes that elevate certain figures while marginalizing others.

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