Hercules and Deianira

When the centaur Nessus abducted Deianira, her lover, Hercules, shot him with a poisoned arrow. The dying centaur convinced Deianira that his blood would make a powerful love potion and Deianira sent Hercules a cloak soaked in Nessus's blood. Putting it on, Hercules was poisoned and died. Deianira then took her own life in remorse. This portrayal of the legend, one of the most famous Renaissance paintings in any American collection, is universally admired for Antonio del Pollaiuolo's accomplishment in rendering the human body in dramatic action. Equally imposing if less widely acknowledged is the sophistication of its panoramic landscape background depicting Florence and the Arno Valley.

Geography: Made in Florence, Italy

Culture: Italian, Florence

Period: 15th century

Credit: University Purchase from James Jackson Jarves

c. 1475-80

Oil on panel transferred to canvas

54.6 x 79.2cm

1871.42

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