Hercules Strangling the Nemean Lion, from the Labors of Hercules

Art Historical Context

This woodcut captures the dramatic first labor of Hercules, in which the hero strangles the invulnerable Nemean Lion with his bare hands. around 1528 by Gabriel Salmon, the print belongs to a series illustrating the mythological hero’s feats, drawing on classical stories that held renewed fascination during the Renaissance. The compact composition emphasizes raw physical power and tension, inviting viewers to admire both the legendary strength of Hercules and the artist’s ability to convey movement through bold, carved lines. As a woodcut on paper, the work reflects an important development i...