Artwork

Hercules Leaning on His Club [recto]

Hercules Leaning on His Club [recto], by Parri Spinelli, ink, 1440
Hercules Leaning on His Club [recto], by Parri Spinelli, ink, 1440

Hercules Leaning on His Club [recto] is an ink drawing by Parri Spinelli. It dates from 1440 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Hercules Leaning on His Club is a drawing created by Parri Spinelli around 1440 using pen and brown ink on laid paper.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing depicts the mythological hero Hercules resting against his club, a representation of classical mythology in a Renaissance artwork.

Technique & Style

The work reflects the stylistic tendencies of its time, characterized by elongated figures and an emphasis on expressive linework, as seen in the bold use of pen and brown ink.

History & Provenance

Parri Spinelli, the artist, was trained in Florence under Lorenzo Ghiberti's workshop and later became a prominent painter in Arezzo, building on the foundation laid by his father, Spinello Aretino.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Parri Spinelli

Artist

Parri Spinelli

Parri Spinelli (c. 1387 – 1453) was an Italian (Tuscan) painter of the early renaissance who was born in the Province of Arezzo. His father and teacher was Spinello Aretino (1350–1410), who was active throughout…

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.