Hercules, Deianeira and the Centaur Nessus
around 1580/85 | Bartholomäus Spranger
The picture is part of a mythological cycle with love stories by Homer and Ovid on which Spranger had been working since the 1580’s as part of the decoration of the imperial rooms in Prague Castle. The Centaur Nessus has abducted Deianeira, the wife of Hercules. Hercules frees Deianeira by killing the centaur with an arrow. The complicated composition is evidence of Spranger’s profound knowledge of Giambologna’s sculptures.
The picture is part of a mythological cycle with love stories by Homer and Ovid on which Spranger had been working since the 1580’s as part of the decoration of the imperial rooms in Prague Castle. The Centaur Nessus has abducted Deianeira, the wife of Hercules. Hercules frees Deianeira by killing the centaur with an arrow. The complicated composition is evidence of Spranger’s profound knowledge of Giambologna’s sculptures.
Artist:
Bartholomäus Spranger (1546 Antwerpen - 1611 Prag) DNB
Time:
around 1580/85
Object Name
Painting
Culture
Netherlandish
Material/technology:
Canvas
Dimensions:
112 cm × 82 cm
Framed: 125 cm × 96 cm × 8,5 cm
Copyright
Kunsthistorisches Museum, Gemäldegalerie
Invs.
Gemäldegalerie, 2613
Provenance
From the treasury of Rudolf II.