Haarlemer Schule des späten 16. Jahrhunderts

HERCULES KILLS CACUS Oil on wood. Parquetry. 52.5 x 40.5 cm. The depiction is based on a story from Roman mythology: Cacus was a gigantic, murderous robber who was adept at breathing fire and decorated the gate of his cave dwelling with the skulls and bones of his victims. Hercules drove Geryon's cattle through Italy and stopped off near Cacus' cave, which he used to steal two cattle. Hercules tracked down the culprit and killed him with one blow of his great club. In the center of the painting, the naked, muscular Hercules can be seen in the cave, swinging his club to kill the prone Cacus. In addition, lying bone remains and the two cattle are depicted. The painting is directly based on a woodcut by Hendrick Goltzius (1558-1617), in which Cacus is still breathing fire. The composition is characteristic of Haarlem Mannerism due to the trained, pronounced musculature of the figures. Painting in predominantly beige-brown colors, the figures also particularly emphasized by the lighting. Rest, occasional retouching (14023235) (10)