Hercules Slaying the Lion of Nemea

Heinrich Aldegrever

National Gallery of Art

This is a drawing of a man battling a lion. The drawing depicts a muscular, bearded figure holding an aggressive stance over a lion; his hands are around the lion's neck. The background shows a dense forest with a small building in the distance. Another smaller scene in the background portrays another similar confrontation with a lion. The composition is detailed with intricate lines and shading, adding texture and form to the figures and foliage. The bottom of the drawing includes ancient script.