Hercules, Dejanira and the Centaur Nessus 1585

Bartholomeus Spranger created this painting, Hercules, Dejanira and the Centaur Nessus, to illustrate a tragic episode from Greek mythology. Spranger, working in the late 16th and early 17th centuries, was a court artist during a time when monarchs used art to project power and moral lessons. Here, we see the attempted abduction of Dejanira by the centaur Nessus. Nessus offers to carry Dejanira across the river Evenus, but then tries to run off with her. Hercules, Dejanira’s husband, shoots Nessus with an arrow. As he lies dying, Nessus tells Dejanira to take some of his blood as a love potion if she ever fears losing Hercules' affection. Spranger masterfully captures the dramatic tension and complex power dynamics of this story. Dejanira appears as a fair-skinned, almost doll-like figure, caught in the middle of a struggle that has fatal consequences. This painting reflects the male-dominated power structures of Spranger's time, where women were often portrayed as vulnerable. It also speaks to the dangers of deceit, and what happens when personal insecurities lead to tragic decisions.