HeraclesOmphale1.0041

Luca Giordano (1634-1705), attributed, "Hercules and Omphale" (ca. 1680), oil on canvas; Brighton, UK, Brighton & Hove Museums.

The queen of Lydia, Omphale, has purchased Hercules, whose thralldom to her will expiate his murder of Iole's brother Iphitus. The post-labors demi-god has been purchased by the Lydian queen and here is shown enjoying the considerable attention he receives. The painter, who may not be Giordano, has positioned the hero in a presiding position, atop a triangularly positioned harem of adoring beauties. Omphale handles the massive club and wears the Nemean Lion's hide. Cupids flit about suggesting that there's a heavy dose of Eros in the room. But the more intimate interaction in, say Giordano's 1675 treatment (1.0037), is utterly lacking here.