HeraclesOmphale1.0036

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 is shown enjoying the considerable attention he receives from the queen herself. Omphale is gradually acquiring the hero's attributes, as she has his club already underfoot; but, his lion's skin is still cushioning his seat and somewhat covering his modesty, as in say Giordano's 1675 treatment (1.0037), where the queen is still fully clothed. Cupids flit about and the queen's attendants are in various states of undress, all suggesting that there's a heavy dose of Eros in the room.

The image at right is PERHAPS not the sought artifact, the Hermitage's 1650's