Lichas Bringing the Garment of Nessus to Hercules, From the Labors of Hercules, 1542-1548
Sebald Behamexpand_more
Engravingexpand_more
Gift of Elizabeth, Julie, and Catherine Andrus in memory of John and Marion Andrusexpand_more 2015.93.19.11
Not on Viewexpand_more
The legendary strongman Hercules was born to the god Zeus and a mortal named Alcmena. This union so incensed Zeus’s wife Hera that she made life almost unbearable for the hero. Her ire resulted in him undertaking a series of tasks, known as the Twelve Labors of Hercules. Sebald Beham challenged his audience’s knowledge of the classical text, engraving three actual labors and nine scenes of Hercules’ exploits before and after his labors.
Believing Hercules loves Iole, the jealous Deianeira dips his robe in a magic potion, a gift from the centaur Nessus, before having Lichas deliver the robe to Hercules. Deianeira believed it to be a love potion that would restore Hercules’ love to her, but it, too, had been tainted by the hydra’s deadly blood.
Details
- Title
- Lichas Bringing the Garment of Nessus to Hercules, From the Labors of Hercules
- Artist Life
- 1500–1550
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- 2015.93.19.11
- Provenance
- Lawrason Riggs (1861-1940), Lugt 1756c, Baltimore. John E. Andrus III, Wayzata, Minn.; by descent to his daughters, Elizabeth, Katie, and Julie; gave to MIA, 2015. Earlier provenances have been gathered, but further research will increase our knowledge of their histories.
- Catalogue Raisonne
- Pauli, Hollstein 108 i/ii; Bartsch 98
- Curator Approved
This record is from historic documentation and may not have been reviewed by a curator, so may be inaccurate or incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.
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