Hercules and Cacus
Hendrick Goltzius · 1588 · Cleveland Museum of Art
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This chiaroscuro woodcut portrays Hercules’s heroic battle against Cacus, a murderous, flame-breathing giant. Cacus has fallen onto the bones of his victims. As a last defense, he blows fire at Hercules, who heaves his club overhead to strike a deadly blow. Goltzius portrayed the lead-up to the fight in the background, where Hercules rolls away a boulder at the cavern’s entrance, setting free a small herd of cows that Cacus had stolen. The vivid color combination of yellow and olive green helps energize this dramatic moment.
The museum’s own description, in English. Licence: CC0
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Details
- Maker
- Hendrick Goltzius (Dutch, 1558–1617)
- Date
- 1588
- Medium
- chiaroscuro woodcut (in black, green, and yellow)
- Dimensions
- Sheet: 42.8 x 33.9 cm (16 7/8 x 13 3/8 in.); Image: 41 x 33.2 cm (16 1/8 x 13 1/16 in.)
- Place of origin
- Netherlands
- Held by
- Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland · Not on view
- Credit line
- Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund
Image: Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0
