The Labors of Hercules: Hercules and Nessus

1542

Hans Sebald Beham

(German, 1500–1550)

Culture

Germany

Medium

engraving

Credit Line

Mr. and Mrs. Lewis B. Williams Collection 1946.396

Catalogue raisonné

Pauli 106

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Location

Not on view

Description

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.