Hero

c. 1930

Beowulf: Hero, c. 1930. Rockwell Kent (American, 1882–1971). Lithograph; The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Richard H. Zinser for the fiftieth anniversary of The Print Club of Cleveland 1970.26 © Courtesy of Plattsburgh State Art Museum/Estate of Sally Kent Gordon. Rockwell Kent illustrated more than 100 publications during his career. This image was intended for N by E (1930), his book about a ship that sinks off the coast of Greenland and the adventures of its crew. Inspired by the story’s focus on survival amid barren wilderness, the print depicts a man standing atop a rocky precipice, covering himself with a rough cloth while light shines on him from above. N by E, the book that this print was created to illustrate, was inspired by Rockwell Kent's own experiences as a sailor.