Titelprent met Hercules na het verslaan van de Hydra van Lerna 1646

This is Johann Friedrich Greuter’s engraving, “Titelprent met Hercules na het verslaan van de Hydra van Lerna.” The image presents Hercules after his victory over the Hydra, a multi-headed serpent. While the scene depicts a moment of triumph, it's also laden with complex cultural narratives. The story of Hercules is one of masculine strength, but also of penance, his labors compensation for past sins. Here, we see not just a hero, but a figure burdened by history. Greuter’s engraving invites us to consider the emotional and psychological weight carried by mythological heroes, and how these figures reflect societal expectations around gender, morality, and power. How might we view Hercules not just as a symbol of strength, but as a symbol of survival and redemption?