Getty Museum
Hercules Poisoned by the Shirt of Nessus
Creator
Boucicaut MasterFrench Illuminator · 1390–1430
All works by this person →In the early 1400s, the Boucicaut Master was the leading master of manuscript illumination in Paris and one of the most influential artists working in the International style in northern Europe. The Boucicaut Master appears to have supervised a talented team of artists who produced manuscripts commissioned by the king of France, high-ranking aristocrats, and the wealthy bourgeoisie. He probably al
More on Getty ULAN- Date
- about 1413–1415
- Medium
- Tempera colors, gold leaf, gold paint, and ink
- Culture
- French
- Department
- Manuscripts
- Institution
- Getty Museum
Grasping a rock in one hand and two trees in the other, the famous hero Hercules writhes in pain. His twisted torso, raised leg, and despairing look heighten the sense of physical and mental agony induced by powerful poison and a tricky centaur. Years before this event, the centaur Nessus intercepted Hercules and his new bride Deianeira and tried to rape her, but Hercules mortally wounded the centaur with a poisoned arrows. Before he died, Nessus told Deianeira to keep the blood from his wound, for anyone wearing a garment rubbed with it would love her forever. When Hercules subsequently fell in love with another woman, Deianeira saw the opportunity to use the magic blood to keep his love. She sent Hercules a garment smeared with Nessus's blood, but the supposed love-charm proved to be a powerful poison.
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