# Nessus and Dejanira

[View the canonical artwork record](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/boullogne-louis-the-younger-r7c95b571c0b384/nessus-and-dejanira-rb3193cd10d6428>)

## Artwork

- Artist: [BOULLOGNE, Louis the Younger](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/boullogne-louis-the-younger-r7c95b571c0b384>)
- Date: 1651-1700
- Technique: Oil on canvas, 65 x 81 cm

## Commentary

Nessus the centaur was killed by Hercules for attempting to rape his bride Dejanira. Before dying, Nessus gave Dejanira his bloody tunic, telling her to give it to Hercules if he was unfaithful, and his affections would return. When she did this the shirt stuck to Hercules&#39;s skin and he burned to death in agony. Ovid, &#39;Metamorphoses&#39; \(Book IX\). The picture may have been part of a decorative scheme, illustrating the life of Hercules or stories of thwarted love.

## Related artworks

- [Adoration of the Golden Calf](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/boullogne-louis-the-younger-r7c95b571c0b384/adoration-of-the-golden-calf-r06e75e7e1fa0ed>)
- [Conversion of St Paul](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/boullogne-louis-the-younger-r7c95b571c0b384/conversion-of-st-paul-r578740c43a5d73>)
- [Earth](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/boullogne-louis-the-younger-r7c95b571c0b384/earth-r38ad55f795fb21>)
- [Joseph in Prison](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/boullogne-louis-the-younger-r7c95b571c0b384/joseph-in-prison-rdc95dc5ddaa34e>)
- [Thalia and Erato, Muses of Comedy](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/boullogne-louis-the-younger-r7c95b571c0b384/thalia-and-erato-muses-of-comedy-rf9fa6fac064032>)
- [Venus Commanding Vulcan to Make Arms for Aeneas](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/boullogne-louis-the-younger-r7c95b571c0b384/venus-commanding-vulcan-to-make-arms-for-aeneas-r601ac7890ef15f>)
- [Venus in the Forge of Vulcan](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/boullogne-louis-the-younger-r7c95b571c0b384/venus-in-the-forge-of-vulcan-re39fa30c04f683>)

## Attribution

[Web Gallery of Art](<https://beta.wga.hu/pages/about>)