Hercules

About this work

This black-and-white image shows a muscular man wrestling a lion. He’s wrapped in a cloak, holding the lion’s head with one hand while his other foot presses down on its back. Above him, two cherubs hold up a curved frame, and the whole scene sits inside a decorative border with swirls and small figures. The artist used fine lines and shading to show muscle and movement, which was tricky in engraving. This style was common in Renaissance art, where artists studied how light and shadow create depth. Next, check out engraving to see how artists like Delaune made detailed prints using metal plates.