The Abduction of Deianira

1770–80
Not on view
Hamilton belonged to a generation determined to expand the scope of the arts in Britain. He traveled to Rome as a teenager to study with Antonio Zucchi, returned to England to make decorative paintings for Robert Adam, then entered the Royal Academy Schools in 1769. From that point forward he focused on historical and literary subjects, together with portaits. This early drawing represents a naked woman carried off by a centaur. It may illustrate the Greek myth which tells of Deianira, the wife of Heracles, abducted by Nessus, a centaur-ferryman.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: The Abduction of Deianira
  • Artist: William Hamilton (British, London 1751–1801 London)
  • Date: 1770–80
  • Medium: Pen and black ink over graphite, with watercolor
  • Dimensions: Sheet: 10 9/16 × 12 15/16 in. (26.8 × 32.8 cm)
  • Classification: Drawings
  • Credit Line: The Elisha Whittelsey Collection, The Elisha Whittelsey Fund, 2015
  • Object Number: 2015.84
  • Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

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