Hercules Protecting the Balance Between Pleasure and Virtue 1993

David Ligare's 1993 painting "Hercules Protecting the Balance Between Pleasure and Virtue" depicts a scene from Greek mythology, where Hercules, the embodiment of strength and virtue, defends a reclining female figure, representing pleasure, from the attack of a man wielding a club. The painting's classical composition, with its emphasis on idealized figures and a serene landscape, evokes the aesthetic of Neoclassical art, while the subject matter reflects a contemporary exploration of the timeless tension between vice and virtue. The painting's rich colors and meticulous detail contribute to its realistic portrayal of the scene, making it a striking example of Ligare's masterful figurative art.