The Triumphant Hercules with the Vanquished Hydra
c. 1618
Medium
Pen and brown ink and brush and brown wash on buff laid paper, ruled in pen and brown ink, laid down on paperboard
Dimensions
Primary support: 22.3 × 12.8 cm (8 13/16 × 5 1/16 in.); Secondary support: 22.2 × 13 cm (8 3/4 × 5 1/8 in.)
Classification
drawings (visual works)
Department
Prints and Drawings
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
205649
About the Artist
Guercino · 1591–1666
Son of a laborer who transported wood. He was called Guercino (squinter), because he was cross-eyed or had a squint in his right eye. Reputedly self-taught early, then an apprentice in the shop of Benedetto Gennari. Patrons included the papal legate at Ferrara and the Archbishop of Bologna. He developed a classical style later in his career. After the death of Guido Reni, Guercino was the leading ...