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Nessus Abducting Dejanira

ca. 1815–25
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 554
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.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Nessus Abducting Dejanira
  • Maker: Giuseppe Girometti (Italian, Rome 1780–1851 Rome)
  • Date: ca. 1815–25
  • Culture: Italian, Rome
  • Medium: Sardonyx, mounted in gold as a pendant
  • Dimensions: Overall: 1 15/16 x 2 1/4 in. (4.9 x 5.7 cm); visible cameo (confirmed): 40.5 x 48 mm
  • Classification: Lapidary Work-Gems
  • Credit Line: Purchase, Assunta Sommella Peluso, Ada Peluso, and Romano I. Peluso Gift, in memory of Ignazio Peluso, 2004
  • Object Number: 2004.164
  • Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

More Artwork

More Artwork
Priam Supplicating Achilles for the Body of Hector, Giuseppe Girometti Italian, Onyx, gold, Italian, Rome
Priam Supplicating Achilles for the Body of Hector
Giuseppe Girometti
ca. 1815–25
Minnehaha, Edmonia Lewis American, Marble, American
Minnehaha
Edmonia Lewis
1868
Recumbent lion, Sardonyx, mounted in gold as a pendant, probably Italian
Recumbent lion
probably Italian
18th–19th century
Wallpaper, Woodblock-printed paper, French
Wallpaper
French
ca. 1830
Bust of a young woman, Giuseppe Girometti Italian, Sardonyx, mounted in gold as a pendant, Italian, Rome
Bust of a young woman
Giuseppe Girometti
early 19th century

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