Hercules and Omphale

c. 1600

Aegidius Sadeler II, after Bartholomaeus Spranger

Associated Names
Aegidius Sadeler II

Artist, Flemish, c. 1570 - 1629

Bartholomaeus Spranger

Artist After, Netherlandish, 1546 - 1611

The image shows various figures in a detailed setting. In the foreground, a man with curly hair and a draped cloth over his lower body holds a distaff with wool. Across from him, a woman with long hair sits on a chair with a lion's mask on her face. Another woman in a dress with puffy sleeves emerges from behind a curtain on the left, with a cherub-like figure above her. An elderly woman is seated on the right, holding an object. A basket of fruit is on the table next to the man. The background features curtains, columns, and other architectural elements.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    engraving on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Gift of Ruth Cole Kainen

  • Dimensions

    plate: 44.6 x 32 cm (17 9/16 x 12 5/8 in.)
    sheet: 46.9 x 33.2 cm (18 7/16 x 13 1/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2012.92.590

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Hollstein, no. 106, State only

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Pierre Mariette [1634-1716], Paris (Lugt 1788). (P. & D. Colnaghi & Co., Ltd., London); Ruth Kainen, Washington, D.C., purchased January 30, 1978; Gift to NGA, 2012.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

2013

  • Northern Mannerist Prints from the Kainen Collection, NGA, 2013 - 2014.

Bibliography

1949

  • Hollstein, F.W.H. et al. Dutch and Flemish etchings, engravings and woodcuts, ca. 1450-1700. Vols. I-XV, XVIII, XIX. Amsterdam: Menno Hertzberger: no. 106, only

Inscriptions

in image, at bottom left: Cu. Priuil. Sac. Cae. Mtis; in image, at bottom right: Bart. Sprangers Inuentor / Eg Sadeler Scalpsit; below image: Quem nec Mars, nec Mors terret: nec sydera Celi / Clara grauant: Erebi densa nec Vmbra fugat. / Omnia qui vicit; vicitus succumbit Amori: / Exunias mutat, cum meretrice sinus: / Cum fusis clauam Muliebria cuucta: nec ipse est / Alcides. tantum foemina cara potest.

Watermarks

Grape cluster with stem in circle.

Wikidata ID

Q76557256

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