BEHAM Hans Sebald (Nuremberg 1500 Frankfurt 1550) - "Gaditana columnas Statuit Hercules" (Hercules carrying the columns of Gades). 1545. Original chisel. Signed with the monogram and dated upper left in the composition. Proof on laid paper. Reference: Bartsch, no. 101. Pauli, n°105. Plate from the series of twelve prints on the works of Hercules. Margin fillet. A versatile artist, Beham was born into a family of artists and based his activity on several techniques, such as stained glass drawing and illustration. But it was as an engraver that he was most prolific. He is credited with more than 1,500 prints in various techniques, including burin, etching and xylography. From 1528 onwards, the year in which the artist was banished from Nuremberg for plagiarism, he exported his talent to Germany where he became one of the representative masters of the Kleinmeister group (the Little Masters), renowned throughout the country for their engraved miniatures. 5 x 7,1 cm. Condition B (cut on or inside the copperplate mark, small tear formerly restored to the lower left corner).