Hercules at the Court of Omphale

The panel 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 in contemporary courtly attire. He is in the company of four ladies-in-waiting. The two on the right-hand side of the image assist him with his task of spinning. One of them holds the distaff and pulls at the wool, while the other winds the thread guided by Hercules onto the spindle. A further two maids (on the left and behind him) place a white cloth on his head, simulating a bonnet. A partridge hangs on the wall in the background and a Latin inscription above the group comments on the scene.

[cda 2023]