Cleveland Museum of Art

Hercules, Deianeira, and Nessus

Date

1700s

Medium

glazed ceramic

Culture

Italy, Naples, Capo di Monte

Department

European Painting and Sculpture

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

Charles III, King of Naples, established the Capodimonte royal porcelain factory under his patronage in 1743. Responding to the success of Northern European porcelain factories, the Capodimonte group perfected their soft-paste porcelain and produced a variety of high-quality objects, ranging from Rococo-inspired decorative arts to more sculptural works. This unpainted figural group depicts the climax of an episode from the later life of Hercules. His heroic nature prevented Hercules from adapting to domestic life, much to the dismay of his wife, Dejanira. Growing tired of his absence, on one occasion Dejanira pursued Hercules. When she reached a river she could not cross, Dejanira accepted a ride from a centaur, Nessus, who, after taking her half way, attempted to abduct her. Here we see Dejanira clinging to her husband, who has arrived in time to slay Nessus with a poison-tipped arrow.

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