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Nessus and Deianira

Statuette
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.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleNessus 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
  • Depth: 18cm
  • Width: 9cm
  • Height: 16.5cm
Dimensions were taken by SCP on 05.12.14 for Bronze Zoo: A Sculptural Menagerie
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
  • Pope-Hennessy, John. 'Some Bronze Statuettes by Francesco Fanelli', in: The Burlington Magazine, XCV, May 1953, reprinted in: Essays on Italian Sculpture, London and New York, 1968, pp. 166-171
  • Avery, Charles and Keeble, K. Coray, Florentine Baroque Bronzes and Other Objects of Art, Royal Ontario Museum, exhibition catalogue, 1975, pp. 20-21
Collection
Accession number
A.6-1953

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
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