Hercules and Antaeus 

Giovanni Pietro Possenti rendered this plate of Hercules and Antaeus in the 17th century. Here, Hercules, the epitome of heroic strength, hoists the giant Antaeus high above the earth, breaking his connection to the source of his power—his mother, Gaia. The image embodies a profound struggle between intellect and instinct. Hercules, symbolizing reason, overcomes Antaeus, who represents primal, earthly forces. This motif of lifting or suspending a figure to deprive them of power echoes in countless artistic depictions across cultures. Think of the elevation of saints in religious art, symbolizing spiritual transcendence, or the forceful removal of figures in scenes of conquest and subjugation. Consider how this image taps into our collective memory, evoking primal fears and aspirations. The act of lifting can symbolize liberation or domination, depending on the context and the viewer's own psychological projections. This image of struggle speaks to the eternal human drama of overcoming our base instincts and aspiring to higher ideals.