KA2 Searching for the labours of Hercules

FRANCISCO DE ZURBARÁN

● Zurbarán was born in 1598 in

Extremadura.

● His work blends the ease and simplicity

of everyday life with the mystical spirit of

the Spanish Golden Age. An

Approaching of opposite ideas as

human/ divine, celestial/ terrenal .

● He is known primarily for his religious

paintings depicting monks, nuns, and

martyrs, and for his still-lifes.

● Zurbarán gained the nickname Spanish

Caravaggio, owing to the forceful,

realistic use of chiaroscuro in which he

excelled.

ZURBARÁN'S WORKS

Buen Retiro Palace in 1637 — painting attributed to Jusepe Leonardo

In 1637 Zurbaran was called to Madrid to paint the

Labours of Hercules for the royal palace of Buen

Retiro. It was a strange work for a painter

specialised in monastic works.

HERCULES FIGHTS AGAINST THE LION

OF NEMEA.

HERCULES STEALS GERION'S CATTLE

HERCULES SEPARATES CALPE AND

ABYLA MOUNTAINS.

LERNAENAN HYDRA

CERBERUS

AUGEAN STABLES

ERYMANTHIAN BOAR

STYMPHALIAN BIRDS

CRETAN BULL

HERCULES FIGHT AGAINST ANTEO

HERCULES' DEATH