The Cleveland Museum of Art
Collection Online as of May 7, 2024
The Labors of Hercules: Hercules and Nessus
1542
(German, 1500–1550)
Catalogue raisonné: Pauli 106
Location: not on view
Description
Hercules and his wife Deianeira came to a river where the centaur Nessus offered to carry Deianeira across the water. While crossing, Nessus sexually assaulted her, and Hercules slayed the centaur with a poisoned arrow. Before he died, Nessus deceitfully told Deianeira to collect his blood—now tainted by the toxic arrow—to use as a love potion on Hercules. Beham was one of several German printmakers referred to today as the “Little Masters.” They established their artistic prowess by engraving remarkably small prints, appealing to collectors fascinated with miniature objects and curiosities.- {{cite web|title=The Labors of Hercules: Hercules and Nessus|url=false|author=Hans Sebald Beham|year=1542|access-date=07 May 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}
Source URL:
https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1946.396