1545
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Hercules Carrying the Columns of Gades is a 1545 ink by Sebald Beham, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This engraving shows a muscular man carrying two giant stone columns on his shoulders. He’s walking through a city with tall buildings and arches in the background. The lines are sharp and the shading is made by tiny parallel lines, giving everything a textured look. The text at the top reads *"Gaditanas Columnas Statuit Hercules"*, which means Hercules set up the columns of Gades. This ties the scene to a myth about the hero moving giant pillars. Next, look up engraving to see how artists like Beham created detailed images using just a burin and ink.
Sebald Beham (1500–1550) was a German painter and printmaker, mainly known for his very small engravings.
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