Hercules and the Hydra (Zurbarán) facts for kids
Hercules and the Hydra is a famous painting from 1634. It was created by the Spanish artist Francisco de Zurbarán. The painting shows the ancient Greek hero Hercules fighting a scary monster called the Lernaean Hydra.
Today, you can see this painting at the Prado Museum in Madrid, Spain. It was originally part of a larger series of paintings. These paintings showed the twelve Labours of Hercules, which were difficult tasks he had to complete. They were made for a special room in a palace in Madrid.
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About the Painting
This painting is one of the most important works by Zurbarán. He was a master at painting religious scenes and still life. But he also painted historical and mythological subjects like this one.
What Does the Painting Show?
The painting captures a dramatic moment. Hercules is shown fighting the multi-headed Hydra. The Hydra was a serpent-like monster with many heads. When one head was cut off, two more would grow back!
The Story of Hercules and the Hydra
The fight with the Hydra was the second of Hercules's twelve labors. He was ordered to kill the monster by King Eurystheus. The Hydra lived in a swamp near Lerna. It was a very dangerous creature.
Hercules had to be very clever to defeat the Hydra. He realized that cutting off its heads made the problem worse. So, he got help from his nephew, Iolaus. As Hercules cut off each head, Iolaus would burn the neck. This stopped new heads from growing back. Finally, Hercules defeated the monster.
Where Was the Painting Displayed?
The painting was made for the Hall of Realms in the Palacio del Buen Retiro. This was a grand royal palace in Madrid. The Hall of Realms was a very important room. It was used to show off the power and glory of the Spanish monarchy.
The Labours of Hercules Series
Zurbarán painted several works for this series. Each painting showed one of Hercules's amazing feats. These stories were chosen to represent the strength and virtues of the Spanish king, Philip IV. They were meant to inspire and impress visitors to the palace.
The Artist: Francisco de Zurbarán
Francisco de Zurbarán was a famous Spanish painter. He lived from 1598 to 1664. He is known for his strong use of light and shadow. This style is called chiaroscuro. It makes his paintings look very real and dramatic.
Zurbarán's Style
Zurbarán often painted religious figures and monks. He was very good at showing textures, like cloth and skin. His paintings often have a quiet and serious feeling. The Hercules and the Hydra painting shows his skill in capturing action and emotion.
