Hercules and Omphale
circa 1585 | Bartholomäus Spranger
To atone for his violent temper, Heracles, the celebrated Greek hero and demi-god blessed with exceptional strength, became the slave of Queen Omphale. She humiliated the hulk by making him wear women’s clothes and help with spinning wool. This “role reversal” was a popular subject, often read as an ironic warning of the dangers inherent in the “regiment of women”. The hero’s ignominious situation is reflected in his cowering pose and his suggestive glance he is both humiliated and besotted. This is contrasted with the nonchalant pose and almost arrogant glance of Omphale, who is wearing the hero’s lion’s skin and holding his club. Inv.-Nr. GG 1126
To atone for his violent temper, Heracles, the celebrated Greek hero and demi-god blessed with exceptional strength, became the slave of Queen Omphale. She humiliated the hulk by making him wear women’s clothes and help with spinning wool. This “role reversal” was a popular subject, often read as an ironic warning of the dangers inherent in the “regiment of women”. The hero’s ignominious situation is reflected in his cowering pose and his suggestive glance he is both humiliated and besotted. This is contrasted with the nonchalant pose and almost arrogant glance of Omphale, who is wearing the hero’s lion’s skin and holding his club. Inv.-Nr. GG 1126
Artist:
Bartholomäus Spranger (1546 Antwerpen - 1611 Prag) DNB
Time:
circa 1585
Object Name
Painting
Culture
Netherlandish
Material/technology:
copper
Dimensions:
Overall: 23,2 cm × 18,4 cm × 0,1 cm
Framed: 35,5 cm × 31 cm × 3,5 cm
Signed
Inscribed on the left of the base frame: BAR.SPRANGERS.ANT.FESIT
Copyright
Kunsthistorisches Museum, Gemäldegalerie
Invs.
Gemäldegalerie, 1126
Provenance
From the treasury of Rudolf II; 1780 from the Imperial Treasury to the Picture Gallery;