Hercules at the Court of Omphale

The painting depicts an episode from the story of Hercules, who according to Greek legend murdered his friend Iphitus in a struggle for power and was therefore punished by Hermes, who sold him to the court of Queen Omphale where he remained as a slave for three years. Here Hercules is shown seated at the centre of the composition, wearing a black tunic over a white high-necked shirt. He is in the company of three ladies-in-waiting. Two on the right-hand side of the image assist him with his task of spinning, one has taken the distaff and other holds the thread. A third maid (on the left) places a white cloth on his head, simulating a bonnet. Hercules grips her under her bottom with his right hand, while stretching his left hand out to caress the breast of the woman holding his distaff. Two partridges hang on the wall in the background and a Latin inscription above the group comments on the scene.

[cda 2023]