1650
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
Dominant colour
Hercules Killing Cacus is a 1650 by Lucas Kilian, depicting Heracles, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.
This print shows a muscular man wrestling a smaller, coiled figure on the ground. The bigger figure’s arms are twisted behind him, gripping the other’s limbs. Both bodies are detailed with strong lines and shadows, making their muscles pop. The smaller figure’s legs are wrapped around the bigger man’s waist, adding tension. The background is plain, so all focus stays on the struggle. Look up Kilian, Lucas to see more of his dramatic prints.
The print depicts Hercules in the act of killing Cacus, based on a composition by Michelangelo. It is rendered as a paper print and forms part of a set of three prints, each offering a distinct perspective on the same scene.
Read the full account in the museum source.
Lucas Kilian (Lucas Kilianus Augustanus; 1579–1637) was a German engraver and etcher from the Kilian family of engravers in Augsburg.
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