Giorgio Ghisi and Giovanni Battista Bertani
Hercules Victorious over the Hydra
c. 1558
Scroll
Physical Qualities
Engraving and stipple, Sheet: 365 x 228 mm. (14 3/8 x 9 in.)
Plate: 345 x 208 mm. (13 9/16 x 8 3/16 in.)
Portfolio/Series
Frontispiece to the book ''Gli oscuri e dificili passi dell'opera ionica di Vitruvio' by Bertani, 1558
Credit Line
Garrett Collection
Object Number
1946.112.11913
Giorgio Ghisi uses several creative tricks to enhance the illusion of sculptural volume in this image. Strong frontal lighting emphasizes the musculature of the mythic Hercules, whose massive form bursts out of the niche behind him. The many-headed Hydra,
freshly decapitated by Hercules, falls out of the ornamental frame and even the edge of the print itself (at lower right), forcefully suggesting three dimensions within the limits of a flat surface.
Susan Dackerman, The Baltimore Museum of Art, 'The Pious & the Profane in Renaissance Prints,' September 23, 1998-January 3, 1999.
Elizabeth Rodini et al., The Baltimore Museum of Art, "Printed Sculpture/Sculpted Prints," 14 November 2007-23 March 2008, no. 15, p. 8.
Elizabeth Rodini et al., The Baltimore Museum of Art, "Printed Sculpture/Sculpted Prints," 14 November 2007-23 March 2008, no. 15, p. 8.
Inscribed: center left in plate: ".I. / .B.B. / .I.N. / .V."; center right in plate: "D / EOR / GIV. / GHISI / MANT / VAN"; by later hand, lower left in brown ink: "N. 3-c. f."
Markings: CM: Claghorn
