Hercules Fighting the Trojans

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Hercules Fighting the Trojans

Artist Hans Sebald Beham (German, 1500-1550)

Date1545

DimensionsH: 2 in. (5.1 cm); W: 3 1/16 in. (7.8 cm)

MediumEngraving on copper.

ClassificationPrints

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number

1925.27

Not on View

Label TextAlthough Sebald Beham included this image in his series of the Labors of Hercules, it, like Hercules Killing Nessus by Heinrich Aldegrever (see nearby), is part of the Deeds (praxeis)—those adventures that befell the hero and led to his death long after the original 12 Labors assigned by King Eurystheus were fulfilled. In this print Hercules, identified by his lion skin cloak, is shown astride a horse on the right, using what appears to be a large branch-like lance as he attacks a mounted Trojan. All is mayhem as defeated Trojans and horses crowd the small scene made even denser by the dark area surrounding the central action of the print.Exhibition HistoryToledo Museum of Art, Storytelling in Miniature, October 7, 2011-March 4, 2012.