#river evenus

The centaur Nessus offered to carry Dejanira, the wife of Hercules, across the river Evenus and then abducted her. Having already crossed the river, Hercules hid in the rocky crags beyond, readying a poisoned arrow to let loose on Nessus.

The centaur Nessus carries Deianeira across the river Evenus in the foreground. In the background, on the far bank of the river, is Hercules, drawing his bow to shoot Nessus. The original picture, of which this is a copy, was painted by Guido Reni for Ferdinando Gonzaga, Duke of Mantua, between 1617 and 1621.