1545
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Lichas Presenting Nessus' Tunic to Hercules is a 1545 ink by Sebald Beham, a Renaissance work, depicting Aeneas, held at National Gallery of Art.
This engraving shows a man handing a bloodstained tunic to Hercules. Hercules grips a club, eyes wide with alarm. The tunic came from a centaur who lied about helping Hercules’ wife. In the 1540s, Sebald Beham carved this image with sharp lines. The scene warns against trusting lies dressed as gifts. Tiny figures in the background make the moment feel real. Look closer at the cross-hatching in Hercules’ muscles. It makes his skin look almost alive. Beham, Sebald
Sebald Beham (1500–1550) was a German painter and printmaker, mainly known for his very small engravings.
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