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