print, engraving
neoclacissism
allegory
charcoal drawing
figuration
history-painting
academic-art
engraving
Dimensions: height 616 mm, width 592 mm
Copyright: Rijks Museum: Open Domain
Charles Howard Hodges created this artwork, "Hercules Strangling the Two Serpents in His Cradle," using mezzotint. Here we see the infant Hercules, a symbol of strength, confronting snakes, emblems of deceit and danger, sent by the goddess Hera. The serpent is a charged image. We see it not only here, but also entwined around the staff of Asclepius, a symbol of medicine, or as the Ouroboros, consuming its own tail—a symbol of eternity. Its meanings are not fixed. In some cultures, it represents healing, renewal, and transformation; in others, chaos, temptation, and destruction. We can see its recurring presence in a multitude of forms, from ancient myths to modern day logos. This image evokes a sense of primal fear and triumph. Hercules's victory over the serpents symbolizes the triumph of good over evil and the power of innocence, engaging viewers on a subconscious level. As an archetypal narrative of overcoming adversity, this image reminds us of the non-linear, cyclical progression of symbols, resurfacing, evolving, and taking on new meanings in different historical contexts.
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