DISCOVERART

Hans Sebald Beham

The Labors of Hercules: Hercules Killing the Lernean Hydra

1545
engraving

SEE IT IN PERSON

Not currently on view

In the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland · as of July 2026

View at clevelandart.org ↗Plan a visit ↗

Discussion

FROM THE CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART’S CATALOG

Hercules and his nephew Iolaus work together to defeat the multiheaded hydra of Lerna. To stop the hydra from regrowing its heads, Iolaus torches each neck as Hercules removes the head with his club. Meanwhile, a lobster aids the hydra by attacking Hercules’s heel. According to legend, Hercules dipped his arrowheads in the dead hydra’s blood to make them poisonous. Beham was one of several German printmakers referred to today as the “Little Masters.” They established their artistic prowess by engraving remarkably small prints, appealing to collectors fascinated with miniature objects and curiosities.

Source ↗

Be the first to share your thoughts.

Sign in to join the discussion.

Community guidelines

More by Hans Sebald Beham

The Labors of Hercules: Hercules Defeating the CentaursThe Labors of Hercules: Hercules Defeating the CentaursThe Labors of Hercules: Hercules Killing the Lernean HydraThe Labors of Hercules: Hercules Killing the Lernean HydraThe Labors of Hercules: Hercules Dragging Cerberus from the UnderworldThe Labors of Hercules: Hercules Dragging Cerberus from the The Labors of Hercules: Hercules Crushing AntaeusThe Labors of Hercules: Hercules Crushing AntaeusThe Labors of HerculesThe Labors of HerculesThe Labors of Hercules: Hercules on his PyreThe Labors of Hercules: Hercules on his PyreThe Labors of Hercules: Hercules Killing the Giant CacusThe Labors of Hercules: Hercules Killing the Giant CacusThe Labors of Hercules: Hercules Crushing AntaeusThe Labors of Hercules: Hercules Crushing Antaeus

More like this

Hercules and the Hydra, from The Labors of HerculesHans Sebald Beham — Hercules and the Hydra, from The Labors Horizontal Panel Design with Four Male Figures Fighting a LionPolifilo Giancarli|Anonymous, Italian, Venetian, 17th centurHercules and the Hydra of Lerna: Hercules grasps his club with both hands and confronts the seven-headed hydra, from the series 'The Labors of Hercules'Antonio Tempesta — Hercules and the Hydra of Lerna: HerculesHorizontal Panel Design with Five Male Figures Fighting a DragonPolifilo Giancarli|Anonymous, Italian, Venetian, 17th centurApollo Killing the PythonRobert Willemsz de Baudous|Hendrick Goltzius — Apollo KillinAdam and EveHans Baldung (called Hans Baldung Grien) — Adam and EveFall (or Temptation of Adam), from The Dance of DeathHans Holbein the Younger|Hans Lützelburger — Fall (or TemptaHercules and the Serpent Ladon: Hercules draws his bow, the rearing serpent appears in profile, from the series 'The Labors of Hercules'Antonio Tempesta — Hercules and the Serpent Ladon: Hercules Adam and Eve Eating the Forbidden Fruit, from Old and New TestamentsAugustin Hirschvogel — Adam and Eve Eating the Forbidden FruMinos and Demons, from the Last JudgmentCherubino Alberti — Minos and Demons, from the Last JudgmentAdam and EveRobert Boissard (French, 1570–after 1603) — Adam and EveGarden of Eden, from the Dance of DeathWenceslaus Hollar|Hans Holbein the Younger — Garden of Eden,