10 Beasts!
The above painting by Meg Hunt is one of ten prints made by ten artists involved in Jacob Covey's "Beasts!" book released by Fantagraphics last month.

Read more about the book and artists involved at the official blog.

Mikalojus Vilutis
A selection of strange artwork by this artist was recently posted at kidpix. I really like the combination of the surreal fairytale styled imagery alongside a darker esoteric design.

Hercules Killing the Lemean Hydra

Here's a fantastic engraving by Dutch engraver Cornelis Cort. This is the 5th in a set of the ten Labors of Hercules dated at 1565. Cort was the pupil of Heironymus Cock, who published all the great prints by Peter Brueghel the Elder.




This version was made by German artist Barthel Beham, dated 1545.






















This depiction of Hercules about to bash the brains in of the Lemean Hydra is by the Italian, Giovanni Battista Franco. The etching is dated within the 16th century.






















The above engraving by Aegid Rousselet (Giles) is titled "Hercules killing the hydra headed monster" dated 17th century.






















Another monster battle, this one is by another Italian engraver, Giovanni Jacopo Caraglio. The print titled "Hercules killing the Hydra of Lerna" is dated in the 16th century.























This painting of Hercules and the Hydra was made by Antonio del Pollaiuolo. The medium is Tempera on wood and is dated 1475.






















The painting above is by Gustave Moreau from 1876.

More examples of this theme can be seen here here and here.
And be sure to click here to view a translation of the text these paintings and prints are based upon.

Richard Sardinha





















Here is the cover to a Dungeons and Dragons related book of a Lovecraftian and ancient sea monster styled creature. I found this image browsing an amazing thread that has collected a wide array of Lovecraft styled monsters. I looked up the official website of Sardinha and found this strange painting of a gargoyle like beast with part of a starfish for a head and an awesome giant mechanical spider on a beach.

AJ Fosik
Lots of great sculptures of bear like creatures with odd scale surfaces. Link found thanks to Bezembinders Illustrated Links.

Philipe Galle
Number 36, my favorite print from Galle's series of 37 titled "Passio Mors et Resurrecto de Nostri Jesu Christi " The rest of the prints deal with Jesus Christ addressing various situations and characters but this one has the citizens of Hell in all their demonic glory.

Monsters at the NYPL Digital Gallery

















































There's a large collection of well organized artwork over at the NYPL Digital Gallery. I found a small assortment of monsters as well as demons, devils, and dragons.

R. Zufarov - Aladdin and the Magic Lamp









































Here are a few strange illustrations from the legend of Aladdin found in this gallery.

Roger Garland





















Glaurung, the First of the Dragons of Morgoth























Ulmo, Lord of the Waters























The Lord of the Nazgul























Shelob























Fall of Gondolin

More of Garland's incredible Tolkein inspired artwork can be found at this gallery, along with a large amount of other great fantastic imagery based upon Tolkein's writings.
Click here to view Garland's official site where you can purchase prints of his work.

Pietro Ciafferi
I found this odd depiction of a tree character at the post on Ciafferi at Giornale Nuovo. I wonder if this was a possible inspiration for Treebeard? Visit the post here to see a few other works by the artist.

A Gallery Of Demons





















Hundreds of depictions of demons spanning hundreds of years can be found here.
Check out this illustration of a Wendigo.