The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of March 28, 2024

Hercules and Cacus

Hercules and Cacus

1588
(Dutch, 1558–1617)
Sheet: 42.8 x 33.9 cm (16 7/8 x 13 3/8 in.); Image: 41 x 33.2 cm (16 1/8 x 13 1/16 in.)
Catalogue raisonné: Hollstein 373 (VIII.122)
Location: not on view

Description

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.
  • Joseph-Marius Agassis (1811-1889), Lyons, script (Lugt 69), verso, lower right, in pen and purple ink. purchased from (David Tunick, Inc.)
  • The Cleveland Museum of Art. Handbook of the Cleveland Museum of Art/1978. Cleveland, OH: The Cleveland Museum of Art, 1978. Reproduced: p. 153 archive.org
  • Gods and Heroes: Ancient Legends in Renaissance Art. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (August 26-December 31, 2017).
    Mannerism: Italian, French, and Netherlandish Prints, 1520-1620. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (August 3-October 26, 1997).
    Printing in Color. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (September 10-November 17, 1985).
  • {{cite web|title=Hercules and Cacus|url=false|author=Hendrick Goltzius|year=1588|access-date=28 March 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1975.60