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Alcon Killing the Serpent
Hans Wechtlin (German, 1480 to 1485–after 1526)
about 1510
Medium/Technique
Chiaroscuro woodcut, printed in blue and black
Dimensions
Sheet at platemark 27.2 x 18.4 cm (10 11/16 x 7 1/4 in. )
Credit Line
Samuel Putnam Avery Fund
Accession Number21.10628
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsEurope, Prints and Drawings
ClassificationsPrints
Hans Wechtlin was one of the first German artists after Dürer to introduce learned Renaissance subjects into his graphic art. Alcon or Alkon, a mythical Greek archer and healer, slew with an arrow a serpent twined around his son (who was later one of the Argonauts who accompanied Jason in the quest for the Golden Fleece). Alcon Killing the Serpent has no independent line block, as did most chiaroscuro woodcuts, but is printed from two interdependent tone blocks.
Catalogue Raisonné
Bartsch 09
ProvenanceLanna 8370; Colnaghi 7621