Terms and conditions of use
Hercules led by Knowledge to immortality
(c. 1726)
Medium
oil on canvas
Measurements
86.4 × 61.3 cm
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Felton Bequest, 1970
Gallery location
Not on display
About this work
‘Glorifications’ such as this one were popular subjects for ceiling paintings in the eighteenth century. At centre left, a lion’s skin drapes over the head of Hercules, who is holding a club; he is accompanied by Fame blowing her trumpet and by Wisdom holding a flaming torch. Wisdom points towards Jupiter, who raises the crown he will bestow upon Hercules; to the right of Jupiter sits Juno, accompanied by her peacock. Below the Olympian pair appears Father Time with his scythe and Mars (seen from the back), dressed in Roman armour. At the top left are Venus and Cupid, with Mercury above them.
Artwork Details
Accession Number
E1A-1970
Department
International Painting
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of Digitisation Champion Ms Carol Grigor through Metal Manufactures Limited
Subjects (general)
Human Figures Religion and Mythology
Subjects (specific)
Heracles (Greco-Roman character) heroes immortals infants men (male humans) Story of Heracles (Greco-Roman narratives) women (female humans)
Movements
Rococo