Hercules and Omphale

circa 1585, Artist: Bartholomäus Spranger

 

 

Hercules and Omphale

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

Location: Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien, Kabinett 22

Object data

Object Name

Painting

Culture

Netherlandish

Dated

circa 1585

Artist

Bartholomäus Spranger (1546 Antwerpen - 1611 Prag) - GND

Material

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

Image rights

Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien, Gemäldegalerie

Inv. No.

Gemäldegalerie, 1126

Provenance

From the treasury of Rudolf II; 1780 from the Imperial Treasury to the Picture Gallery;

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