Hercules, Deianira and the Centaur Nessus
around 1586 | Paolo Caliari, gen. Veronese
Here – as in the companion painting “Venus and Adonis” (Inv.Nr. GG 1527) – an episode from antique mythology is depicted: Hercules in pursuit of the centaur Nessus who wants to abduct his wife Deianira. However, the scene only gives Veronese the chance to describe the way the figures are embedded in the mysterious-seeming realm of nature – an old theme in Venetian painting. We can also recognise Veronese’s late style in the clearly gloomy, autumnal colours and the open brushstrokes.
Here – as in the companion painting “Venus and Adonis” (Inv.Nr. GG 1527) – an episode from antique mythology is depicted: Hercules in pursuit of the centaur Nessus who wants to abduct his wife Deianira. However, the scene only gives Veronese the chance to describe the way the figures are embedded in the mysterious-seeming realm of nature – an old theme in Venetian painting. We can also recognise Veronese’s late style in the clearly gloomy, autumnal colours and the open brushstrokes.
Artist:
Paolo Caliari, gen. Veronese (1528 Verona - 1588 Venedig) DNB
Time:
around 1586
Object Name
Painting
Culture
Italian, Venetian
Material/technology:
Canvas
Dimensions:
68,4 cm x 53,4 cm x 2,2 cm
Framed: 91 cm x 75,5 cm x 6 cm
Copyright
Kunsthistorisches Museum, Gemäldegalerie
Invs.
Gemäldegalerie, 1525
Provenance
1636 Coll. Bartolomeo della Nave, Venice; 1638-1649 Coll. Hamilton; 1659 Coll. Leopold Wilhelm, Brussels