Hercules Capturing Cerberus
Medium
figures
Classification
figures
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Leo Wallerstein
Accession Number
1950-131-59
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Hans Sebald Beham'sHercules Capturingberus*, created between 1542 and1548, captures one of the most dramatic labors of the mythical hero Hercules: wrestling the ferocious three-headed guard dog of the Underworld, Cerberus. This small-scale work in the "figures" medium—likely a sculptural group or model—exemplifies Beham's mastery of intricate detail in miniature form. A leading figure among the German "Little Masters" of the Northern Renaissance, Beham (1500–1550) was renowned for his precise engravings and designs from Nuremberg, blending classical mythology with the era's humanist revival an...