Nessus and Deianira
Statuette
ca. 1675-1700 (made)
ca. 1675-1700 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
This bronze statuette is made after a model by Francesco Fanelli, probably in France and in the late 17th century. The group is made differently from Fanelli's own bronzes, the two figures being cast separately.
Nessus the centaur was a mythological figure who was shot by Hercules when Nessus tried to ravish Hercules' wife Deianira, while helping her across a river. On a journey Hercules and Deianiera came to a river, where Nessus was the ferryman and tried sexually to assault her. When Hercules realised this, he shot Nessus with a bow and arrow. When dying, Nessus told Deianira to collect his blood as it would one day help her as a love elixir; he claimed that anyone who wore a garment rubbed with the blood would love her forever.
Nessus the centaur was a mythological figure who was shot by Hercules when Nessus tried to ravish Hercules' wife Deianira, while helping her across a river. On a journey Hercules and Deianiera came to a river, where Nessus was the ferryman and tried sexually to assault her. When Hercules realised this, he shot Nessus with a bow and arrow. When dying, Nessus told Deianira to collect his blood as it would one day help her as a love elixir; he claimed that anyone who wore a garment rubbed with the blood would love her forever.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Title | Nessus and Deianira (generic title) |
Materials and techniques | Bronze |
Brief description | Statuette, Nessus and Deianira, bronze, possibly after a model by Francesco Fanelli (active 1609-d.1665), probably French, ca. 1675-1700 |
Physical description | Deianira, naked, is sitting sidewards on Nessus' back, with her right leg bent and her left hand around his left shoulder and held by Nessus' left bent arm. He looks to the right and Deianira looks towards him. Both Nessus' front legs (hooves) are lifted from the ground. |
Dimensions |
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Credit line | Given by Dr. W. L. Hildburgh, F. S. A. |
Object history | Given by Dr. W. L. Hildburgh, F. S. A., 1953. The group is made differently from Fanelli's own bronzes, the two figures being cast seperately. Historical significance: This group is made differently from Fanelli's own bronzes, the two figures being cast separately. |
Subjects depicted | |
Summary | This bronze statuette is made after a model by Francesco Fanelli, probably in France and in the late 17th century. The group is made differently from Fanelli's own bronzes, the two figures being cast separately. Nessus the centaur was a mythological figure who was shot by Hercules when Nessus tried to ravish Hercules' wife Deianira, while helping her across a river. On a journey Hercules and Deianiera came to a river, where Nessus was the ferryman and tried sexually to assault her. When Hercules realised this, he shot Nessus with a bow and arrow. When dying, Nessus told Deianira to collect his blood as it would one day help her as a love elixir; he claimed that anyone who wore a garment rubbed with the blood would love her forever. |
Bibliographic references |
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Collection | |
Accession number | A.6-1953 |
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Record created | June 24, 2009 |
Record URL |
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