Exchange: Hercules

Fall

1956/1.78 - Hercules, Albrecht Dürer, circa 1498; 12 7/16 in x 8 11/16 in
1994/2.13 - The Farnese Hercules, Hendrick Goltzius, circa 1592; 16 7/16 in. x 11 5/8 in.

Winter

1989/1.61 - Marcus Calphurnius Flama (Plate 8 from "Roman Heroes"), Hendrick Goltzius, 1586; 15 13/16 in. x 10 5/8 in.
1960/2.83 - Samson's Vengeance, Unknown artist, 2nd half of 16th century; 26 1/4 in x 16 15/16 in

4 Items in this Learning Collection

Hercules

A nude man seen from behind raises a staff to ward off the blow of a standing female figure, also with a staff. The woman's swing is directed to two seated figures at the lower left: a nude woman and a satyr. In the distance is an elaborate gated city and landscape.

Collection Object

The Farnese Hercules

This impressively large engraving depicts the muscular back of a marble statue of a man. The figure leans upon a club draped with a lion skin and holds three apples in his right hand behind his back. Two men look up at the statue from the lower right corner of the print.

Collection Object

Marcus Calphurnius Flama (Plate 8 from "Roman Heroes")

A muscular man towers over a mountainous landscape in this engraving. Clothed only in a helmet, sandals, and flowing cape, his startling physique is on full display. He grasps a sword and shield and strides vigorously toward the background, where a knot of men battle at the foot of a mountain.

Collection Object

Samson's Vengeance

Collection Object

Copyright

Hercules

Accession Number
1956/1.78

Title
Hercules

Artist(s)
Albrecht Dürer

Object Creation Date
circa 1498

Medium & Support
engraving on paper

Dimensions
12 1/2 x 8 3/4 in. (31.59 x 22.07 cm);22 1/8 x 18 1/8 in. (56.2 x 46.04 cm)

Credit Line
Gift of Jean Paul Slusser

Label copy
Gallery Rotation Spring/Summer 2012
Albrecht Dürer
Germany, 1471–1528
Hercules
circa 1498
Engraving
Gift of Jean Paul Slusser, 1956/1.78
Like his Italian contemporaries, Dürer used the stories of the Greek and Roman gods to create moralizing allegories. He titled this print, made shortly after he returned from traveling in Italy, Hercules after the most celebrated hero of classical mythology. The son of Jupiter (Zeus) and a mortal woman, Hercules was endowed with near godlike strength, courage, and fortitude, and was known for his adventures, trials, and labors. It is not certain which of these is depicted in this print, though it is often interpreted as Hercules at the crossroads, choosing between the paths of virtue and vice. A satyr in the bottom left corner embraces a nude female figure (understood to be Vice), while another woman (Virtue) stands, brandishing a weapon. Hercules is situated between them, wielding his trademark club. It is not entirely clear whether he is aiding Virtue in her cause or seeking to obstruct her blows. Viewers may have enjoyed puzzling out the subject, but regardless of whether they recognized it, the artistic virtuosity of the print would have been appreciated.

Subject matter
Dürer combines myth, in the figures of Hercules and the satyr, with allegory, the seated woman possibly a figure of Vice and the standing woman representing Virtue. The interpretation of the scene remains enigmatic.

Physical Description
A nude man seen from behind raises a staff to ward off the blow of a standing female figure, also with a staff. The woman's swing is directed to two seated figures at the lower left: a nude woman and a satyr. In the distance is an elaborate gated city and landscape.

Primary Object Classification
Print

Primary Object Type
intaglio print

Collection Area
Western

Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.

Keywords
allegories (document genre)
children (people by age group)
engravings (prints)
fighting
forests (cultural landscapes)
intaglio printing
trees