Nessus and Dejanira 17th century

Francesco Fanelli’s bronze sculpture presents Nessus and Dejanira, a vivid scene from Greek mythology. The centaur Nessus abducts Dejanira, his powerful form frozen in a dynamic struggle. This composition captures the raw tension of desire and violence, themes deeply embedded in our collective psyche. Consider the centaur—half-man, half-horse—a figure that has galloped through the ages, appearing in ancient friezes and Renaissance paintings. This hybrid creature embodies the duality of human nature: reason and instinct, civilization and savagery. In Fanelli’s rendition, Nessus’s forceful grasp and Dejanira’s desperate reach echo across time, reminiscent of similar abduction scenes in classical art. These images tap into our primal fears and desires, revealing how our subconscious is still stirred by these ancient narratives. Observe how the motif of the abduction evolves—from the mythical realm to more contemporary contexts, it resurfaces in various forms, each reflecting its era's cultural anxieties and moral codes. This bronze is more than a sculpture; it’s a mirror reflecting our ongoing engagement with themes of power, desire, and the struggle for control.