Hercules en Omphale
Jan Gossart
1523 - 1527
Medium
paper
Dimensions
170; 257
About this artwork
verzamelaarsmerk, verso midden onder, gestempeld: Lugt 2228a
Art Historical Context
**Hercules en Omphale** is a delicate drawing by Jan Gossart (c. 1458–1532), a pioneering Flemish artist of the Northern Renaissance, created between 1523 and 1527. Gossart, also known as Mabuse, gained fame for blending Italian Renaissance ideals with Northern precision after his transformative trip to Rome around 1508–09. This work captures the mythological tale of Hercules, the mighty hero humbled in service to Queen Omphale of Lydia. In the ancient story, Hercules dons women's attire and spins wool as penance, while Omphale parades in his lion skin—a clever reversal of power that Gossart r...