Hercules op de tweesprong 1680 - 1757

"Hercules op de tweesprong" (Hercules at the Crossroads), is a red chalk drawing created by Dutch artist Mattheus Terwesten (1670-1757). Dated between 1680 and 1757, this piece is a study for a larger work. The drawing depicts the Greek mythological hero Hercules at a crossroads, faced with the choice between virtue and vice, a popular theme in Western art. Terwesten uses a range of lines, from delicate to bold, to convey the dynamism of the composition, with numerous figures including angels, cherubs and a goddess. The artwork is currently located in the Rijksmuseum.