Faun Attacking a Snake

This engraving reproduces a pen-and-ink drawing by Andrea Mantegna, now preserved in the British Museum and dated to the period 1480/85. Because of the inscription, the subject has at times been identified as Hercules slaying the Hydra, but the pointed ears of the figure identify him as a faun. The inscription may actually refer to Ercole d'Este, Duke of Ferrara.