Hero of Labor: Political Transformation of the image of Hercules in the Netherlands engraving of the 16th century ; Герой труда: политическая трансформация образа Геркулеса в нидерландской гравюре XVI века

The article deals with an analysis of the print «Hercules at the crossroads» by Johannes Wierix engraved after Crispijn van den Broeck and published in Antwerp at the second half of the XVIth century. The subject matter of the engraving originates in the classical story from Xenophon’s Memorabilia which depicts the choice of the young Hercules between the life-paths of Virtue and Pleasure. The Dutch Master, however, introduces a modification to the story – Labour replaces Virtue, whilst the latter all of a sudden finds comfort in the embrace of Fortune. The author of the article locates a poss... Mehr ...