Hercules Killing the Hydra
1602
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1602
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This black-and-white print shows a muscular man with curly hair lifting a massive club. Under him, a multi-headed snake twists in his grip, its bodies tangled around his legs. The scene looks dramatic, with the man’s strained muscles and the snake’s writhing forms. The artist used fine lines to build up shadows and texture, making the figures look almost three-dimensional. This style was common in prints of the time. Try looking up engraving to see how artists create detailed images like this one.
