Hercules and the Nemean Lion

1898

From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art

Impressionism Realism Late 19th Century Mythology heracles

Dominant colour

Hercules and the Nemean Lion is a 1898 by Henri-Arthur Lefort des Ylouses, a Impressionism work, depicting heracles, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.

Who painted this?: Henri-Arthur Lefort des Ylouses
When & what style?: 1898 · Impressionism
Where can I see it?: Cleveland Museum of Art

About this work

This etching shows Hercules wrestling a giant lion. His muscles strain as he grips the beast’s throat. The lion’s fur looks thick enough to touch. The artist carved deep lines in the metal plate. When printed, the paper bulges where the lines are deepest. The rocks beneath Hercules’ feet look rough—like real stone. See how the shadows wrap around Hercules’ body? That’s called chiaroscuro. It makes the scene pop off the page. Look up the technique chiaroscuro next.