Hercules met het zwijn van Erymanthus c. 1705 - 1713

Hendrik Pola made this print, Hercules met het zwijn van Erymanthus, in the late 17th or early 18th century. At the time, the legend of Hercules was a popular subject, often used to explore themes of power and virtue. Here, we see Hercules after he has captured the Erymanthian Boar, one of his twelve labors. Pola's Hercules isn't just a figure of masculine strength, he is also a representation of triumph over nature. His muscular physique, rendered in careful detail, reflects the cultural ideals of beauty and strength that were so valued in that era. But think about the Erymanthian Boar for a moment. What does this capture mean for the animal, and for our relationship to the natural world? The image invites us to reflect on our place in the environment, and the morality of conquest.