This gallery includes representations of Hercules and Medusa, showing how they've been portrayed over the years and how their stories have influenced modern mediums.
Marble bust of Hercules, 100/199, From the collection of: British Museum
To start the gallery, here is a bust of Hercules. Made of marble and focusing primarily on the face, the details included seem realistic and gives Hercules a more godlike look.
Bust of the Medusa, Gian Lorenzo Bernini, 1644/1648, From the collection of: Musei Capitolini
To counter our hero is the monstrous Gorgon known as Medusa. Depicted as a bust, Medusa is known for her ability to turn people to stone. The masterful detail on the snakes makes it seem like it's actually Medusa herself.
Statue of Hercules (Lansdowne Herakles), Unknown, about 125, From the collection of: The J. Paul Getty Museum
Hercules is popularly known for his incredible strength. This statue features Hercules carrying a club and the skin of the Nemean Lion while standing nude, which was considered a sign of beauty in Greek culture.
Hercules and the Nemean Lion, Antonio Tempesta, Nicolo Van Aelst, 1608, From the collection of: Los Angeles County Museum of Art
The Nemean Lion was Hercules first labor he had to face. At supposedly just the age of 18, he tracked and killed the beast by choking it to death. This drawing features Hercules fighting the lion and skinning it in a beautifully drawn piece interestingly depicting the passage of time.
Hercules Slaying the Hydra, Hans Sebald Beham, 1545, From the collection of: The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
Another monster Hercules is famously known for defeating is the Hydra. Depicted in the following image is Hercules slaying the Hydra with his nephew, Iolaus, who would hold down the heads and burn them so they couldn't grow back.
Medusa, Caravaggio Merisi, 1595 - 1598, From the collection of: Uffizi Gallery
Medusa was a feared monster in Greek Mythology. Originally a beauty woman with flowing hair, she was cursed by Athena to look hideous and have a head of snakes. This piece shows what Medusa might've looked like after her transformation.
Perseus Slaying Medusa, Giovanni Battista Foggini, after 1690, From the collection of: Harvard Art Museums
Widely known for her clash with Perseus, Medusa killed many men by turning them to stone with her looks. Depicted is the fight between Perseus and Medusa, masterfully crafted in great detail and positioned at the climax of the action, this piece gives a glimpse into what might've happened.
Perseus slaying Medusa, Laurent Marqueste, 1876/1903, From the collection of: Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek
Crafted from stone, this statue shows the outcome of the fight. Once Perseus had the upper hand on Medusa, he grabbed her by her snake hair and cut off her head. He would later go on and use it as a weapon against his enemies.
Hercules and the Nemean Lion, Moderno, ca. 1488–1489, From the collection of: Museum of Fine Arts, Budapest
The myth of Hercules has been told many times over the years, more popularly with audiences as a Disney movie. He's also been portrayed as a villain in God of War 3, as well as the hero he's known to be in many live action movies.
Perseus Slaying Medusa, Alexander Runciman, 1774, From the collection of: Los Angeles County Museum of Art
Medusa is mainly associated with the myth of Perseus, but has been featured in some other stories as the villain. Appearing in Percy Jackson and Clash of the Titans, her story usually ends the same way, with some exceptions of her turning herself into stone.
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This user gallery has been created by an independent third party and may not represent the views of the institutions whose collections include the featured works or of Google Arts & Culture.
