Lecture 2, Unintended Consequences: Antonio del Pollaiuolo's Hercules and Deianira (c. 1475-80)

The Gallery's best known Renaissance painting shows Hercules about to shoot a centaur who is abducting his bride. Everybody admires the vigorous action and vast landscape. What about the subject? In the myth, she is rescued, but the shooting eventually leads to a horrible death for Hercules. We don't see that; does it help to know it?