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Watercolour drawing on paper. Signed lower right: “Emil Filla 36“ Inscription on reverse: “Tuto kresbu si vybral Fr. Tichý když mu ji Filla daroval. J.H.“ [Fr. Tichy chose this drawing when Filla presented it to him. J.H.] This drawing from the collection of Frantisek Tichy is very likely a prepatory sketch of Filla's eponymous painting, which he painted that same year. The exact composition of Hercules and the bent lion support this. During this period, Filla rid himself of all remnants of Cubism in his style, and a more dynamic style started to emerge. Filla responded to the pre-war atmosphere with a series of works featuring interpretations of ancient myths and legends. The subject of the drawing is based on the Greek story of Heracles’ bludgeoning of the Lion of Cithaeron, which had been ravaging the herds. After slaying the lion, Heracles wore the lion's hide. The subject may be confused with the first labor of Heracles, which was to kill the enormous Nemean lion with its invincible fur; using the power in his arms, Heracles strangled the lion in his cave.