West made the present, eminently rare and extremely evocative print when he was just sixteen years of age - an astonishing feat in view of the technical brilliance of the etching and its tremendous expressive power. Hercules is engaged in a life-or-death struggle with the nine-headed Hydra. Two of the sea monster’s heads are breathing their last on the ground at his feet, while another snake has wound its way up the hero’s athletic body and is endeavouring to sink its deadly poisonous fangs into his neck. West has rendered Hercules’ fierce struggle against the monster with great narrative verve. The protagonist’s flexed muscles and his pain-contorted face illustrate the intensity of his heroic battle. Raphael’s powerful etching style and the extremely effective chiaroscuro betray the influence of James Barry, his much older fellow artist, whose etchings were undoubtedly familiar to the young West. A superb, striking and contrasting impression with even margins. Minor ageing, otherwise in very good condition.