Hercules at the Crossroad

1498/1499

Albrecht Dürer

Associated Names
Albrecht Dürer

Artist, German, 1471 - 1528

This is a drawing of a mythological scene in a forest setting. The image depicts several figures in dramatic interaction surrounded by lush landscape. In the foreground, a muscular figure is engaged in a tussle with a woman, both gripping a large branch or staff. Beside them, a couple of other figures are reclined amidst the vegetation. To the right, a small cherubic figure is observing the scene. In the background, there are trees, a mountainous landscape, and the architectural structure of a castle, giving a medieval ambiance. The detail in the figures and foliage suggests the artist's skill in line work and shading, typical of master engravers from the Renaissance period.

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    engraving on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Rosenwald Collection

  • Dimensions

    sheet (trimmed to image): 32.5 × 22.3 cm (12 13/16 × 8 3/4 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1943.3.3482

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Meder, no. 63, state II/II

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Wilhelm Koller [d. 1871], Vienna (Lugt 2632); Szépművészeti Múzeum, Budapest (duplicate: Lugt 312b); Louis Godefroy [1885-1934], Paris (Lugt 2971a); (Hollstein & Puppel, Berlin, sale 41, May 6-8, 1929, no. 244); purchased by Lessing J. Rosenwald [1891-1979], Jenkintown, PA (Lugt 1760b and Lugt 1932d), 1929; gift to NGA, 1943.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1929

  • Engravings by Albrecht Durer from the collection of Lessing J. Rosenwald of Philadelphia, Baltimore Museum of Art, 1929, no. 58.

1970

  • Albrecht Dürer, 1471-1528: A Study Exhibition of Print Connoisseurship, Philadelphia Museum of Art, 1970-1971, no. 11A.

1971

  • Albrecht Dürer: The Early Graphic Works, Princeton University Art Museum, NJ, 1971, no. 14, repro.

1999

  • "Fate, Fortune, Nemesis: Albrecht Durer at the Century's End", Crocker Art Museum, Sacramento, 1999.

Bibliography

1932

  • Meder, Joseph. Dürer-Katalog; ein Handbuch über Albrecht Dürers Stiche, Radierungen, Holzschnitte, deren Zustände, Ausgaben und Wasserzeichen. Vienna: Verlag Gilhofer und Ranschburg, 1932. Reprint. New York: Da Capo Press, 1971: no. 63.

2001

  • Schoch, Rainer, Mattihas Mende, and Anna Scherbaum. Albrecht Dürer: Das druckgraphische Werk. Munich, 2001: vol. 1: no. 22.

Inscriptions

in plate, bottom center: AD [artist's monogram]; verso, lower right, in graphite by a later hand: 19 [?]; verso, lower right, in graphite by a later hand: 19003 [upside down]; verso, lower right, in graphite by a later hand: EE638; verso, lower right, in graphite by a later hand:8[0?] [sideways]; verso, lower right corner, in graphite by a later hand: 163[3?]; verso, bottom center, in graphite by a later hand: Les Effets de la jalousie [the effects of jealousy]

Watermarks

high crown (Meder 20)

Wikidata ID

Q64952620

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