The Labors of Hercules: Hercules Dragging Cerberus from the Underworld
Medium
engraving
Classification
Department
Prints
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Mr. and Mrs. Lewis B. Williams Collection
Accession Number
1950.461
Rights
Public Domain
Tags
male
About this artwork
Hercules descended into Hades, the underworld, to bring back Cerberus, the three-headed dog who guards the entrance. Pluto, god of the underworld, agreed to let Hercules take Cerberus as long as he used no weapons. In this version of the scene, Hercules has abanded his club and shield in favor of three leashes to drag Cerberus from the inferno. Beham was one of several German printmakers referred to today as the “Little Masters.” They established their artistic prowess by engraving remarkably s...