Hercules resting from his labours

This etching from the 17th century was executed by the artist Pietro Aquila (ca. 1630–1692) after a painting by Annibale Carracci (1560–1609). It shows Hercules resting from his twelve labours, a series of difficult tasks carried out by him while in the service of King Eurystheus. The etching includes references to a number of feats completed by Hercules, for example slaying the Nemean lion, capturing of the Erymanthian Boar, stealing three of the golden apples of the Hesperides and – the last of the twelve labours –  capturing and bringing back Cerberus, the multi-headed dog that guards the gates of the Underworld.

Hercules resting from his labours, etching, 17th century, artist: Pietro Aquila after Annibale Carracci; source: Wellcome Collection, reference ID 11220i, https://wellcomecollection.org/works/n3ksnr8g, public domain.