The Suckling of Hercules
1650
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
1650
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
This print shows a dramatic scene of a muscular woman nursing a baby while a small child watches. Around them, two winged figures hover—one holding a staff, the other a torch. The background is packed with swirling clouds and a half-hidden figure peeking from behind a rock. Light and shadow create strong contrasts, especially on the woman’s body and the baby’s face. The text below names this *The Suckling of Hercules*, a story about a god being fed by a mortal to hide his identity. The artist, Launay, used deep blacks and bold lines to make the figures stand out. Check out the Victoria and Albert Museum to see this print in person.
