Biography
While the subject of this print has been widely debated, it is assumed that it depicts the scene from classical mythology of the demi-god Hercules slaying the conjoined twin sons of Molionide and Poseidon. According to legend, the brothers Eurytos and Kteatos were hatched from a silver egg and nobody could rival the strength of their joined bodies. They led the army of their uncle, King Augeias, but were finally killed by Hercules. Hercules is depicted wearing a boar's skin signaling this event occurred before the slaying of the Ne mean lion, shown in the background. This woodcut was executed after Durer 's journey to Italy in 1496. The unusual subject matter might have been suggested by the humanist influences of the time and is Durer 's only woodcut of mythological theme.