Hercules en Waarheid 1737

Coenraad de Putter created this print titled 'Hercules en Waarheid,' or Hercules and Truth in 1737. In it, we find Hercules and a gathering of figures in a wooded landscape, with a radiant, nude Truth descending on a cloud. This piece emerged during the Enlightenment, a period characterized by a focus on reason and a questioning of traditional authority. Here we have a depiction of Hercules, known for his strength, but also for his struggles, seemingly liberated by Truth. Look at the way Truth is represented; nude, unashamed, and radiant. The traditional virtue of 'Truth' is being envisioned as powerful and enlightening. She holds both the power of knowledge and nature. Consider the other figures present. They appear in a state of languor and are in desperate need of the enlightenment that she brings. This image resonates with the era's emphasis on moral and intellectual liberation. It invites us to reflect on the chains that bind us and the transformative power of seeking truth.