Artwork
The Suckling of Hercules
The Suckling of Hercules is a print by P. R. Launay. It dates from 1650 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
The Suckling of Hercules is a print created by P. R. Launay in 1650 on paper, reproducing a work by Tintoretto.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a muscular woman breastfeeding a baby, observed by a small child, with two winged figures and a partially obscured figure in the background. The scene is associated with the myth of Hercules being nursed by a mortal woman to conceal his divine identity.
Technique & Style
Launay employed strong contrasts of light and shadow, deep blacks, and bold lines to emphasize the figures, particularly the woman and the baby.
History & Provenance
The print is an example of reproductive printmaking, a common practice in the 17th century. An example of this print is held by the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
This 17th-century printmaker carved mythological scenes into copper plates, leaving ink to do the talking.
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No. 1: Title Page
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