1522
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Hercules Bearing the Column of Gades is a 1522 ink by Albrecht Altdorfer, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This engraving depicts a muscular man, Hercules, carrying a large column on his shoulders. He is shown in profile, with his face turned towards the right side of the image. The column is adorned with a decorative capital and appears to be quite heavy, judging by the strain on Hercules' body. In the background, there is a subtle landscape with buildings and trees, but it is not the main focus of the image. The engraving technique used to create this work is evident in the intricate details and textures visible throughout. If you're interested in learning more about the technique used to create this image, you might want to look into the art of engraving.
Albrecht Altdorfer (c. 1480 – 12 February 1538) was a German painter, engraver and architect of the Renaissance working in Regensburg. Along with Lucas Cranach the Elder and Wolf Huber he is regarded to be the main…
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