Hercules op de tweesprong 1576 - 1599

This engraving, Hercules at the Crossroads, was created by Wierix around the turn of the 17th century and is on display at the Rijksmuseum. Notice how the composition is bisected into two distinct pathways: one of virtue, one of vice. Hercules stands centered, a point of balance between conflicting ideologies. The artist uses a dark, tight hatching technique to convey the density and weight of the figures and landscapes. This emphasizes the dramatic choice facing Hercules. The left side, representing virtue, is structured with an upward-sloping path leading to a temple. In contrast, the right side, symbolizing vice, descends into what looks like the mouth of hell with suggestions of fire and brimstone. This stark contrast plays with semiotic codes to convey moral and philosophical meanings. The engraving invites viewers to consider their own life choices and the paths they choose to follow.