Ladon Collection

Hercules and the Serpent Ladon, 1608. Creators: Antonio Tempesta, Nicolaus van Aelst
Hercules and the Serpent Ladon, 1608. From The Labors of Hercules, pl. 10. Hercules draws his bow, the rearing serpent appears in profile

Hercules kills the dragon Ladon, 1696. Creator: Hendrick van Beaumont
Hercules kills the dragon Ladon, 1696. Ladon protects the garden of the Hesperides. Hercules beats Ladon with his club

Hercules Slaying the Serpent Ladon in the Garden of the Hesperides, n.d. Creator: Andrea Lilio
Hercules Slaying the Serpent Ladon in the Garden of the Hesperides, n.d

I am not Heracles the Mighty, and I want none of your golden fruit (litho)
STC445075 I am not Heracles the Mighty, and I want none of your golden fruit (litho) by Davie, Howard (fl.1914-44); Private Collection; (add.info)

Heracles on his 11th labor, taking golden apples from the Garden of the Hesperides guarded by the serpent Ladon
6340171 Heracles on his 11th labor, taking golden apples from the Garden of the Hesperides guarded by the serpent Ladon by Sasso

Perseus saw them dancing around the charmed tree (colour litho)
STC445076 Perseus saw them dancing around the charmed tree (colour litho) by Davie, Howard (fl.1914-44); Private Collection; (add.info.: Illustration from The Heroes of Greek Fairy Tales)

Hercules killing the dragon of the Hesperides, 1572 (oil on slate)
BEN82526 Hercules killing the dragon of the Hesperides, 1572 (oil on slate) by Sciorina, Lorenzo dello (c.1535-98); Palazzo Vecchio (Palazzo della Signoria) Florence

Leto, Neptune, a Grace and a Fury
Leto with her children Apollo and Artemis 6, one of the Graces 7, Neptune 8, and one of the Furies 9. Morfeo, Nettuno e delle Furie. From a vase in Aubin Louis Millins Peintures de Vases Antiques

Dancing hand in hand arount the charmed tree, from The Heroes published by George Allen
3482323 Dancing hand in hand arount the charmed tree, from The Heroes published by George Allen and Unwin 1929 (litho) by Soper, George (1870-1942); Private Collection; English, out of copyright

Attic red-figured bell-krater, c. 410-400 BC (ceramic)
3619102 Attic red-figured bell-krater, c.410-400 BC (ceramic) by Nikias Painter (fl.c.420-c.400 BC) (attr. to); height: 34 cm; Private Collection; (add.info)

Hercules and the Serpent Ladon: Hercules draws his bow, the rearing serpent appears in profile, from the series The Labors of Hercules, 1608

Hercules, Hesperides, Ladon the dragon, golden apple. Engraving from Giovanni Battista Ferrari, Hesperides: sive, De malorum aureorum cultura et usu libri quator. Plate 27. Date: 1646

Garden of the Hesperides, 1869-73 (tempera, gouache and oil on card and canvas)
XKH141605 Garden of the Hesperides, 1869-73 (tempera, gouache and oil on card and canvas) by Burne-Jones, Edward Coley (1833-98); 119x98 cm; Hamburger Kunsthalle, Hamburg

Brunfelss Herbarium (1530). Title page for Herbarium vivae eicones by the German theologian and botanist Otto Brunfels (1488-1534)

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In Greek mythology, Ladon was a fearsome dragon with a hundred heads who guarded the golden apples in the Garden of Hesperides. This monstrous creature was said to be so powerful that even Hercules himself struggled to defeat it. With its multiple heads and sharp teeth, Ladon struck fear into the hearts of all who dared to approach the sacred grove. Legend has it that Ladon's breath was toxic and its scales were impenetrable, making it nearly impossible for any mortal to challenge its might. Despite its ferocious nature, some tales depict Ladon as a noble guardian tasked with protecting the precious fruit from thieves and intruders. The story serves as a cautionary tale about greed and temptation, as those who coveted the golden apples faced certain doom at the hands of this formidable dragon. Its legacy lives on in ancient myths and legends, reminding us of the consequences of seeking forbidden treasures. Though Ladon may be just a mythological creature, its legend continues to captivate audiences around the world with its epic battles and moral lessons. The image of this monstrous serpent coiled around the tree of life will forever remain etched in our minds as a symbol of power and protection.