The Labors of Hercules: Hercules and Nessus

Cleveland Museum of Art

The Labors of Hercules: Hercules and Nessus

Hans Sebald BehamLinkedCulture matchlcp-5eb48064f74e

Date
1542
Medium
engraving
Culture
Germany
Department
Prints
Institution
Cleveland Museum of Art
Object ID
124946

Hercules and his wife Deianeira came to a river where the centaur Nessus offered to carry Deianeira across the water. While crossing, Nessus sexually assaulted her, and Hercules slayed the centaur with a poisoned arrow. Before he died, Nessus deceitfully told Deianeira to collect his blood—now tainted by the toxic arrow—to use as a love potion on Hercules. Beham was one of several German printmakers referred to today as the “Little Masters.” They established their artistic prowess by engraving remarkably small prints, appealing to collectors fascinated with miniature objects and curiosities.

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Credit line
Mr. and Mrs. Lewis B. Williams Collection

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