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Hercules and Alcestis

Unknown

1750

From the collection of Statens Museum for Kunst

Mythology

Dominant colour

Hercules and Alcestis is a 1750 by Unknown, held at Statens Museum for Kunst.

Who painted this?: Unknown
When & what style?: 1750
Where can I see it?: Statens Museum for Kunst

About this work

This black-and-white photo shows four figures in a dim, rocky setting. A bearded man in a toga-like robe points at a shirtless man with wings. A woman in a flowing veil stands beside him, holding his hand. A small child stands nearby, looking up at the pointing man. The shirtless man’s wings and the dramatic lighting suggest he might be a mythological hero. The pointing man’s serious gesture draws attention to him. Look up *chiaroscuro* next to see how light and shadow create drama in art.