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.
Artist & collection
Artist
This 17th-century printmaker carved mythological scenes into copper plates, leaving ink to do the talking.
The Three Goddesses
Diana and Callisto
The Death of Lucretia
Death of Adonis
The Martyrdom of St. Apollonia
Allegory in Honor of Henri IV
No. 1: Title Page
Frontispiece: Aidé de la sagesse, on se sauve de l'amour dans les bras de la raison
The Goddess, Diana on the Clouds
Allegorical Portrait of Pierre Buirette de Belloy
La coquette fixee
Le jardinier galant