Hercules Killing the Hydra of Lerna 1552 - 1565

This engraving, Hercules Killing the Hydra of Lerna, was created by Battista Franco around the mid-16th century. The stark contrast between light and shadow immediately draws our eye to the muscular figure of Hercules and the writhing Hydra. The composition is structured around dynamic diagonals: the upward swing of Hercules’ club meeting the multiple serpentine necks of the Hydra. Franco’s use of line is particularly striking. Notice how dense, cross-hatched lines build up areas of deep shadow, giving form and volume to the figures. This technique, reminiscent of mannerist art, creates a sense of movement and tension appropriate to the heroic and symbolic nature of the scene. The engraving’s formalism engages with the prevailing cultural codes of the Renaissance. Here, Hercules represents not just physical strength, but also virtue and reason triumphing over chaos and bestiality. The clean, precise lines and balanced composition of the piece suggest a world governed by order and reason. Yet the violence of the scene disrupts these values and established meanings.