Nessus Abducting Deianira, ca. 1815–25
Giuseppe Girometti (Italian, 1780–1851), after Bertel Thorvaldsen (Danish, 1770–1844)
Italy (Rome)
Sardonyx cameo, mounted in gold; 1 15/16 x 2 1/4 in. (4.9 x 5.7 cm)
Purchase, Assunta Sommella Peluso, Ada Peluso, and Romano I. Peluso Gift, in memory of Ignazio Peluso, 2004 (2004.164)
The centaur Nessus, midstream, is carrying the protesting Deianira, wife of Hercules, at the very moment that Hercules, standing on the riverbank facing them, fires the arrow that will kill him. Girometti repeated a relief by the Danish Neoclassical sculptor Thorvaldsen; the Museum acquired a fine marble example of the Thorvaldsen as well as this gem in 2004. Girometti signed the cameo in Greek.
Open full-size image
