Nessus and Dejanira

Image credit: The National Gallery, London

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Notes

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Nessus the centaur was killed by Hercules for attempting to rape his bride Dejanira. Before dying, Nessus gave Dejanira his bloody tunic, telling her to give it to Hercules if he was unfaithful, and his affections would return. When she did this the shirt stuck to Hercules' skin and he burned to death in agony. Ovid, 'Metamorphoses' (Book IX).

The picture may have been part of a decorative scheme, illustrating the life of Hercules or stories of thwarted love. It dates from around 1700.

The National Gallery, London

London

Title

Nessus and Dejanira

Date

about 1705

Medium

Oil on canvas

Measurements

H 65.4 x W 80.6 cm

Accession number

NG6506

Acquisition method

Bequeathed by Jeffery Daniels, 1986

Work type

Painting

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The National Gallery, London

Trafalgar Square, London, Greater London WC2N 5DN England

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