The Labors of Hercules: Hercules and Nessus

The Labors of Hercules: Hercules and Nessus — Sebald Beham. 1542.

Medium: engraving. Dimensions: .

Collection record: The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland. Museum connection according to this source; current display unverified.

Hercules and his wife Deianeira came to a river where the centaur Nessus offered to carry Deianeira across the water. While crossing, Nessus sexually assaulted her, and Hercules slayed the centaur with a poisoned arrow. Before he died, Nessus deceitfully told Deianeira to collect his blood—now tainted by the toxic arrow—to use as a love potion on Hercules.

Beham was one of several German printmakers referred to today as the “Little Masters.” They established their artistic prowess by engraving remarkably small prints, appealing to collectors fascinated with miniature objects and curiosities.

Source: official collection record. Metadata selected and normalized by Artline from the source export, accessed 10 September 2026; no museum endorsement. Reproduction rights are separate.