Who painted Hercules Conquering Cacus ("Ercules")?

Hercules Conquering Cacus ("Ercules") was painted by Albrecht Dürer in 1496.

Where can I see Hercules Conquering Cacus ("Ercules")?

Hercules Conquering Cacus ("Ercules") is held by British Museum.

What movement is Hercules Conquering Cacus ("Ercules")?

Hercules Conquering Cacus ("Ercules") is associated with Northern Renaissance.

Can I buy a print of Hercules Conquering Cacus ("Ercules")?

Museum-quality prints of Hercules Conquering Cacus ("Ercules") are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Hercules Conquering Cacus ("Ercules")

Albrecht Dürer , 1496

Hercules Conquering Cacus ("Ercules") is an ink print by the Northern Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer. It dates from 1496 and is held in the collection of the British Museum.

About this work

Albrecht Dürer’s woodcut shows Hercules wrestling a shaggy monster named Cacus in a rocky cave. Hercules’ muscles strain against the beast’s wild strength. Cacus clings to a cliff, his claws digging into stone.

Dürer carved this in 1496. He used fine lines to show hair, muscle, and fur. The scene feels dramatic but controlled, like a play frozen in time.

Try Dürer’s other woodcuts next.

Overview

Hercules Conquering Cacus is a woodcut print created by Albrecht Dürer around 1496. It is an early example of Dürer's work in the medium.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a scene from mythology, showing Hercules wrestling Cacus, a monstrous creature, in a rocky cave. The struggle between the hero and the beast is the central focus of the image.

Technique & Style

Dürer employed fine lines to convey texture and detail, rendering the hair, muscles, and fur of the figures with precision. The composition is dramatic yet restrained, capturing a moment of intense action.

History & Provenance

The woodcut was carved by Dürer in 1496, a date that places it among his early experiments with the medium.