Deianeira and Nessus
Pietro Liberi (Padua 1605 – Venice 1687)
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
1625 - 1687
Materials
Oil on canvas
Measurements
1375 x 970 mm
Place of origin
Veneto
Order this imageCollection
Knole, Kent
NT 129872
Summary
Oil painting on canvas, Deianeira and Nessus by Pietro Liberi (Padua 1605 – Venice 1687). According to the Roman poet Ovid's Metamorphoses, Hercules had to cross a river, swollen with winter rain, with his new bride Deianeira. Nessus the centaur offered to carry Deianeira across on his back. While Hercules swam across, Nessus tried to take Deianeira for himself. Hercules shot him in the back with an arrow. Before he died Nessus soaked his shirt with his poisoned blood and gave it to Deianeira telling her it would act as a love potion should she lose Hercules' affections. Later she sent the shirt to Hercules whose body was consumed with a searing fire.
Provenance
On loan from the Trustees of the Sackville Estate
Makers and roles
Pietro Liberi (Padua 1605 – Venice 1687), artist