HERCULES AND DEJANIRA.

GUIDO.

THIS pieture, painted by Guido, is one of the four, executed by this artist, to display the labours of Hercules. The Centaur Nessus, son of Ixion and Nua, is represented coming to offer his services to Hercules to transport across the river Evena, Dejanira, the daughter of Æneus, King of Etolia, of which Hercules avails himself, to bear away the Princess. Her lover penetrates the design of the ravisher, and lances at him a poisoned arrow from the opposite shore.

The rape of Dejanira is one of the finest pictures of Guido, and exhibits all that good taste in drawing, correct expression, and easy and mellow pencil for which he is distinguished.