Set Of Three Engravings On The Theme Of Hercules By Heinrich Aldegrever, 1550

The Artist:
Heinrich Aldegrever was born around 1502 in Paderborn, Germany, and died in Soest around 1559. A talented engraver and also a painter, he belonged to the group of "Little Masters" (Kleinmeister), known for their meticulous execution of very small engravings filled with precise details. His early engraved works were heavily influenced by Albrecht Dürer. Even his monogram, with the letters "AG," may be a tribute to the master of Nuremberg, whose monogram bore the letters "AD."

The Subject:
These three engravings are part of a series of thirteen prints dedicated to the Labors of Hercules. The artist drew inspiration from anonymous Venetian woodcuts that had previously influenced Albrecht Dürer in 1511. Complete series can be found in Amsterdam, Berlin, Cambridge, London, Vienna, and Wolfegg.

Hercules helping Atlas hold up the sky
Engraving on laid paper (without watermark)
Signed with the monogram "AG" and dated "1550" on a tablet at the bottom left
Two lines of Latin text below the composition:
"Mos aetherij subiit gestamen Olympi Quod prior immenso corpore torsit Atlas"
Height: 10.7 cm; Width: 7.1 cm
A preparatory drawing for this engraving is kept in Frankfurt.
Fine impression of the unique state.

 

Hercules killing the centaur Nessus
Engraving on laid paper (without watermark)
Signed with the monogram "AG" and dated "1550" on a tablet at the top right
Height: 9.7 cm; Width: 7.1 cm
Slight weakness in the paper just above the bow
Fine impression of the unique state.

 

Hercules strangling Antaeus
Engraving on laid paper (without watermark)
Signed with the monogram "AG" and dated "1550" on a tablet at the top left
Height: 9.7 cm; Width: 7 cm
Fine impression of the unique state.

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