Who painted Hercules Exterminating Fury and Dischord?

Hercules Exterminating Fury and Dischord was painted by Christoffel Jegher in 1650.

Where can I see Hercules Exterminating Fury and Dischord?

Hercules Exterminating Fury and Dischord is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

Artwork

Hercules Exterminating Fury and Dischord

Hercules Exterminating Fury and Dischord is a print by Christoffel Jegher. It dates from 1650 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

This mid‑17th‑century engraving presents the mythic hero Hercules engaged in violent combat with two grotesque adversaries identified as Fury and Dischord. Executed after a design by Peter Paul Rubens, the image was printed on paper around 1650 and exemplifies the dramatic narrative style of the period.

Subject & Meaning

In the composition, the nude, muscular Hercules occupies the centre, grappling with a snarling creature bearing a lion’s mane, while a second, winged figure with a scorpion‑like tail attacks from behind. The confrontation symbolizes the hero’s triumph over chaotic forces that threaten order, reflecting classical themes of strength versus disorder.

Technique & Style

The print employs strong chiaroscuro, with sharply lit musculature set against a deep, shadowed backdrop of swirling clouds and tangled limbs. This contrast heightens the sense of tension and movement, while the intricate line work delineates the monstrous forms and the dynamic poses of the combatants.

History & Provenance

Created as an engraving after Rubens’ original composition, the work was produced in the 1650s, a time when reproductions of the Flemish master’s designs were widely circulated. It entered the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum, where it remains accessible for study and public viewing.