Snuffbox with miniature of Hercules, Omphale and Cupid 1789 - 1790

This snuffbox, adorned by Joseph Etienne Blerzy, presents a miniature scene of Hercules, Omphale, and Cupid, capturing a moment of mythological transformation. Hercules, typically a symbol of masculine strength, is here subverted, dressed in the garments of Omphale, the Lydian queen. This symbolic cross-dressing speaks to themes of power reversal and the influence of love, embodied by Cupid, who often disrupts the established order. The motif of Hercules and Omphale appears throughout history, from ancient Roman frescoes to Renaissance paintings. These portrayals reveal the enduring fascination with the hero humbled by love. The imagery taps into a psychological undercurrent: the tension between rational control and emotional surrender. Consider how this differs from the heroic, muscular Hercules we often see, his image carefully constructed to convey the traits valued by a specific culture. Here, the hero is domesticated, a reminder of how even the mightiest can be swayed by the whims of love. In this snuffbox, Blerzy has captured a non-linear progression of a symbol that resurfaces through time.