Hercules moet kiezen tussen Deugd en Ondeugd 1637

Nicolas Mignard created this print, Hercules moet kiezen tussen Deugd en Ondeugd, in 1667. The scene unfolds as a carefully constructed composition in black ink on white paper. It invites us to ponder the allegory of choice. The artist directs our gaze through contrasting elements of line and form. Hercules stands centrally, a robust figure caught between Virtue and Vice. Virtue gestures towards a rugged path, drawn with sharp, decisive lines. Vice lures with flowing curves and an open embrace. The structure uses a semiotic system where upward strokes signify effort and reward, while the softer lines suggest ease and temptation. Mignard prompts us to question fixed meanings, engaging with the philosophical debate of moral decision-making. The linear precision emphasizes the intellectual rigor of choice. This print functions as a cultural artifact, inviting continuous interpretation within the discourse of morality and representation.