Hercules and Nessus painted in Gouache

This Gouache painting depicts the famous centaur, Nessus, being struck down by Hercules. Nessus was the son of Centauros and became a ferryman on the river Euenos. After carrying the wife of Hercules, Deianeira, across the river he attempts to have relations with her. Hercules retaliates then, resulting in the epic battle of demigod against centaur. This painting is based on the famous statue depicting the scene carved by Giambologna in 1599, situated in Florence.