Hercules Fighting the Nemean Lion, Giovanni Antonio da Brescia, after Andrea Mantegna, after 1507
engraving, h 282mm × w 253mm More details
Slaying the Nemean lion was the first of the Twelve Labours of Hercules. It was a favourite subject among artists, representing the victory of human virtue over bestial lust. The engraver used a now-lost drawing by Mantegna for this print. He rendered light and shade with parallel lines, creating the illusion of a depiction of an ancient marble sculpture.
