Hercules in gevecht met Acheloüs 1620 - 1686

Gilles Rousselet created this print of Hercules battling Acheloüs in the 17th century. It depicts a scene from Ovid's Metamorphoses, where Hercules wrestles the river god Acheloüs for the right to marry Deianira. But why this scene, and why now? France in the 1600s was a culture of royal patronage. Artists like Rousselet, who worked in Paris, relied on commissions from the court. Classical subjects like this one were a perfect fit, aligning the patron with the virtues of the ancient world. Hercules, as a figure of strength and virtue, was often used to symbolize royal power. This print isn't just an illustration of a myth, but a statement about power, lineage, and divine right. To understand this print fully, we can look at the history of printmaking in France, court records, and the broader cultural fascination with classical antiquity. By situating the work in its proper context, we can understand the artwork as something deeply embedded in its time.