Louis XIII as Hercules
1639
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1639
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This engraving shows a man dressed like a Roman soldier, standing tall and holding a club. At his feet, a lion lies down next to a rooster, while a shipwreck and a battlefield play out in the background. The sky is full of clouds and small scenes of people on chariots, framed by decorative borders. The man’s pose and the lion’s calmness suggest he’s meant to look strong and in control. The title says this is Louis XIII as Hercules, linking him to the mythical hero. Look up etching to see how this detailed image was made.
