1545
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
Dominant colour
The Labors of Hercules: Hercules Conquering Troy is a 1545 by Sebald Beham, a Renaissance work, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.
You see a small print of Hercules conquering Troy, with many figures and details. This work is interesting because it's part of a series that tells the story of Hercules' labors. It's notable for being a small but detailed print, which was a specialty of the artist. Look up the technique of sfumato to learn more about how artists like Hans Sebald Beham created depth and detail in their work.
Beham was one of several German printmakers referred to today as the “Little Masters.” They established their artistic prowess by engraving remarkably small prints, appealing to collectors fascinated with miniature objects and curiosities. Here, Beham has packed 12 larger-than-life stories of the mighty Hercules into tiny prints. The series includes three of the 12 labors Hercules performed as penance for slaying his children in a fit of madness: Strangling the Nemean Lion , Killing the Lernean Hydra , and Dragging Cerberus from the Underworld . The other scenes depict tales from his life and…
Read the full account in the museum source.
Sebald Beham (1500–1550) was a German painter and printmaker, mainly known for his very small engravings.
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