44" x 64" Acrylic Encapsulated Pigment on Museum Etching Cotton
The series "Death of Heracles" explores the tragedy of Heracle's twisted death given Hera's 12+ attempts to take his life.
After Heracles married Deianeira, they traveled together. During their journey, they came to the river Evenus. The centaur Nessus worked there as a ferryman, carrying travelers across the river.
Nessus offered to carry Deianeira across the river while Heracles swam. Heracles agreed, not suspecting any ill intent.
After crossing the river with Deianeira, Nessus, overcome by lust, attempted to rape her. Deianeira cried out for help.
Hearing his wife's cries, Heracles quickly responded. He shot Nessus with an arrow poisoned with the deadly venom of the Hydra.
As Nessus lay dying, he enacted his cunning revenge. He called Deianeira to him and told her to collect his blood, claiming it was a powerful love potion. Nessus convinced Deianeira that his blood, if applied to Heracles' clothing, would ensure her husband's eternal faithfulness and love for her alone. Believing Nessus' words and unaware of the true nature of the centaur's blood, Deianeira collected it, keeping it as a secret insurance for her marriage.
Fearing Heracles' affection for another woman, Deianeira decided to use Nessus' "love potion." She soaked a tunic in the centaur's blood and sent it to Heracles via Lichas, her trusted servant.
Lichas, unaware of the tunic's true nature, delivered it to Heracles as instructed. Heracles put on the tunic, intending to wear it while making a sacrifice to Zeus.
As Heracles' body heat activated the poison, it began to burn his flesh.The pain was excruciating, and the tunic couldn't be removed without tearing away Heracles' skin.
In his agony and rage, Heracles demanded to know who had brought him the tunic. Lichas, terrified, admitted he had delivered it on Deianeira's behalf.
Maddened by pain, Heracles seized Lichas by the feet. He swung Lichas around and hurled him with tremendous force into the sea.
The Lichades in the in the North Euboean Gulf in Greece are named after Lichas. It is said Heracles hurled him to the sea and from his sheared apart carcass these small islands were formed.
