Hercules Fighting the Centaurs
1577
Medium
Engraving
Dimensions
sheet: 3 3/4 x 2 11/16 in. (9.6 x 6.9 cm)
Classification
Prints
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Bequest of Phyllis Massar, 2011
Accession Number
2012.136.761
Tags
Art Historical Context
Behold *Hercules Fighting theaurs*, a dynamic 1577 engraving by the enigmatic Master PM, measuring just 3 3/4 x 2 11/16 inches. This intimate print captures the mythological hero Hercules in fierce combat against the half-human, half-horse centaurs, a scene brimming with muscular tension and dramatic movement. Rendered in fine lines typical of engraving—a meticulous intaglio technique where incisions in a metal plate hold ink for detailed impressions—the work showcases the artist's skill in conveying action on a tiny scale, perfect for collectors' albums or personal study. Created during the ...
About the Artist
Master PM (German) · 1550 –1600
German, active ca. 1577