Artwork preview

Hercules Killing the Hydra

Jan Muller after Adriaen de Vries

National Gallery of Art

The sculpture depicts a muscular male figure in a dynamic pose, raising a club above his head. The man is intricately carved, showing detailed musculature and a focused facial expression. He is in combat with a multi-headed creature that resembles a dragon or serpent, with one of the heads twisting around his body. The creature has multiple heads with sharp features and is entwined around the man. The sculpture appears monochromatic, likely crafted from a material such as bronze or stone.

Artwork Details

Date
c. 1602
Medium
engraving
Dimensions
3595 × 4980 px
Public Domain
Yes
Museum Record
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