Hercules and Lichas, Seen from the Front

About this work

This engraving shows a muscular man with a beard, twisting his body to lift a smaller figure over his shoulder. Below, a lion lies dead on the ground, its mouth open. The man’s muscles are sharply defined, and his face looks strained. The smaller figure is being carried like a burden, suggesting struggle. This work is an engraving, meaning it was etched into metal and printed, not painted directly. Next, look up engraving to see how artists create detailed images this way.