The Choice of Hercules (oil on canvas)

Print and/or digital. Single use, any size, inside only. Single language only. Single territory rights for trade books; worldwide rights for academic books. Print run up to 5000. 7 years. (excludes advertising)

$193.00

Editorial (Books, magazines and newspaper) - standard

Print and/or digital. Single use, any size, inside only. Single language only. Single territory rights for trade books; worldwide rights for academic books. Print run up to 1500. 7 years. (excludes advertising)

$110.00

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Largest available format 4078 × 5197 px 7 MB

	Dimension [pixels]	Dimension in 300dpi [mm]	File size [MB]	Online Purchase
Large	4078 × 5197 px	345 × 440 mm	7.1 MB
Medium	804 × 1024 px	68 × 87 mm	1.3 MB

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IMAGE number

USB132359

Image title

The Choice of Hercules (oil on canvas)

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Artist

Poussin, Nicolas (1594-1665) / French

Location

Stourhead, Wiltshire, UK

Medium

oil on canvas

Date

1636 AD - 1637 AD (C17th AD)

Dimensions

88.3x71.8 cms

Image description

The moral theme of this allegorical picture is derived from the Greek philosopher, Prodicus, a friend of Socrates and Plato, and told in Xenophon’s Memorabilia (circa 430-354 BC). Hercules, young, beardless and crowned with a laurel, leans on his club, at a cross road. The two female figures represent Virtue and Vice. Vice, clad in more revealing orange robes is accompanied by Cupid who offers a posy of flowers up to Hercules. She gestures towards an easy path to a beckoning sunny valley below whilst Virtue, chastely dressed in white, on the other hand, points towards the difficult path, a steep rocky ascent. Hercules looks at Virtue knowing he should choose her path. The presence of the snake on the ground has multiple references. Hercules overcame snakes more than once in his life; it has been an attribute of Minerva, the goddess of Wisdom symbolising prudence; and an evil serpent. Possibly the picture that once belonged to the architect François Blondel (1617–86). Bought by Henry II Hoare at the posthumous sale of the magnificent builder, collector, and patron, the 1st Duke of Chandos, in 1747.

Photo credit

National Trust Photographic Library/Prudence Cuming / Bridgeman Images

A $150 Service Fee may apply to Member-level clients (under $1,000/year spend) if an order is placed through our team, rather than directly online.

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Largest available format 4078 × 5197 px 7 MB View all formats

	Dimension [pixels]	Dimension in 300dpi [mm]	File size [MB]	Online Purchase
Large	4078 × 5197 px	345 × 440 mm	7.1 MB
Medium	804 × 1024 px	68 × 87 mm	1.3 MB

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