Hercules at the crossroads

Broeck, Crispin van den, after

Engraving on paper of Hercules at the crossroad (also known as the choice of Herakles), engraved by Jan Wierix (1539-1620), after a design by Crispijn van den Broeck (1524-1589/91) and published by Hans van Luyck (fl. 1580s) in Belgium or the Netherlands c. 1585. Hercules must choose between vice and virtue, presented as the female personifications of Labour and Volupta (goddess of sensual pleasures) and their respective paths: a difficult climb to the Temple of Virtue or an easy road down road to feasting, merrymaking and the flames of hell. Above Virtue and Fortune are wrapped in an embrace standing upon Jupiter’s eagle and Fortune's wheel. Latin and Dutch text below describes the scene.