The Cleveland Museum of Art
Collection Online as of December 22, 2025
Hercules, Deianeira, and Nessus
1700s
Overall: 37.5 cm (14 3/4 in.)
Location: Not on view
Description
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. --Dominique Pen (July 2013)- Leonard C. Hanna, Jr., by gift to the Cleveland Museum of Art, 1939.
- Milliken, William. "The Coralie Walker Hanna Memorial Collection Gift of Leonard C Hanna." The Bulletin of the Cleveland Museum of Art 26, no. 6 (June 1939): 84-115 Mentioned: p. 97 www.jstor.org
- {{cite web|title=Hercules, Deianeira, and Nessus|url=false|author=|year=1700s|access-date=22 December 2025|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}
Source URL:
https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1939.192