Cleveland Museum of Art

Hercules and Cacus

Hendrick GoltziusLinkedCulture matchlcp-c162078f1223

Date

1588

Medium

chiaroscuro woodcut (in black, green, and yellow)

Culture

Netherlands, 16th century

Department

Prints

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

Object ID

148337

This chiaroscuro woodcut portrays Hercules’s heroic battle against Cacus, a murderous, flame-breathing giant. Cacus has fallen onto the bones of his victims. As a last defense, he blows fire at Hercules, who heaves his club overhead to strike a deadly blow. Goltzius portrayed the lead-up to the fight in the background, where Hercules rolls away a boulder at the cavern’s entrance, setting free a small herd of cows that Cacus had stolen. The vivid color combination of yellow and olive green helps energize this dramatic moment.

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