325 - Albrecht Dürer (1471 - Nuremberg - 1528), Hercules Conquering Cacus.

Albrecht Dürer (1471 - Nuremberg - 1528), Hercules Conquering Cacus. Woodcut on laid paper, watermark Augsburg Coat of Arms (Meder 177). (c. 1496). 39.1 x 28.2 cm (sheet). Bartsch 127; Meder 238 II a (of III c); Schoch/Mende/Scherbaum 105 II a (of III c). A very fine, sharp and strong Meder II a impression, with 16 birds, still before the break in the horizon and before the damage to the young woman’s right eye. With a richly inked borderline, trimmed to the borderline on three sides and slightly within it at the lower edge. In this woodcut, Dürer depicts a subject from classical mythology that was highly unusual in Germany before 1500, particularly in the medium of woodcut. He therefore added a small scroll at the top of the composition identifying the muscular figure in the foreground, clad in an animal skin and having defeated two armoured knights, as Hercules. It is likely that the inscription originally contained an additional element which Dürer subsequently cut away (see 'Albrecht Dürer. Die Druckgraphiken im Städel-Museum', exh. cat., Guggenheim Museum Bilbao/Städel Museum, Frankfurt am Main, Cologne 2008, p. 50, no. 10, Martin Sonnabend). – The central fold smoothed and made up. A repaired tear at the lower right edge. A small repaired area at the centre of the lower edge and a carefully made-up paper loss in the right margin. Otherwise in good condition. Taxation: regelbesteuert (VAT: Regular Taxation).