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.




Created by 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.





















Made by Antonio del Pollaiuolo, tempera on wood, 1475.













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.

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.