Hercules Fighting the Nemean Lion (Zurbarán) facts for kids

Hercules Fighting the Nemean Lion is a famous painting from 1634. It was created by the Spanish artist Francisco de Zurbarán. Today, you can see this artwork at the Museo del Prado in Spain.

What the Painting Shows

This painting shows the legendary hero Heracles (also known as Hercules). He is in a fierce battle with the Nemean Lion. This lion was a terrifying monster in Greek myths. Heracles had to defeat it as one of his twelve difficult tasks.

The Story of Heracles and the Nemean Lion

The Nemean Lion was a huge, fierce beast. Its skin was so tough that no weapon could pierce it. Heracles was sent to kill this lion as his first great challenge. He tried using his bow and arrow, but they did not work. So, Heracles had to fight the lion with his bare hands. He wrestled the lion and eventually choked it to death. After his victory, Heracles used the lion's own claws to skin it. He then wore the lion's tough hide as armor. This made him even stronger and more fearsome.

How Zurbarán Painted It

Zurbarán's painting captures the intense moment of this struggle. The artist carefully showed Heracles's strength and the lion's power. Some art experts think Zurbarán might have looked at other artworks for ideas. For example, the way Heracles is positioned might be similar to an old woodcut by Cornelis Cort. The rocky background in the painting might also be inspired by another old print.

Part of a Bigger Series

This painting is one of ten artworks that Zurbarán created. All these paintings show the famous Labours of Hercules. These "labours" were the twelve impossible tasks that Heracles had to complete.

Who Commissioned the Artworks?

Philip IV of Spain, who was the king at the time, asked Zurbarán to paint this series. The paintings were made to decorate a special room. This room was called the Hall of Realms. It was part of the Buen Retiro Palace in Madrid. The Hall of Realms was a very important place. It was used for royal ceremonies and to show off the king's power.

Where to See Them Now

Today, all ten paintings from the Labours of Hercules series are displayed together. You can find them at the Museo del Prado. This museum is home to many famous Spanish artworks.

See Also

• In Spanish: Hércules lucha con el león de Nemea para niños