Heracles

Heracles in Art

Here's the link to the Perseus library of images of Heracles.  Click on Thumbnails next to the Images list.  (Note: if for any reason this link doesn't work, go to Perseus and search Heracles.  If you are sent to the Perseus lookup tool, search in the left-hand search box, not the main one.  That will put you in the right place; look for images and click on the thumbnails.)

Everyone who was in class has been assigned 3 pages to look at.  If you weren't in class, choose three pages at random (though not pp. 1-3).

Consider the following issues:

• What media do you find in your images?  (e.g. vase paintings, sculpture, coins, etc.)

• Are some themes more common than others?  What are the main scenes/themes you see depicted here?

• Is Heracles portrayed the same or in a similar way?  Does he always have his typical identifying features? (One special issue from our class discussion -- is he built/huge or normal-looking?)

• If you find significant differences, is there a time issue involved?  (Be aware, in general, of the date and provenance [place of origin] of your works of art.)

Focus on a few works you want to point out to the class.  We will meet in Westside 160 so we'll be able to look at all the images.