Italian, Venice
Mirror (Specchiera): Hercules and Omphale, 19th century
Gilded poplar and mirrored glass, 80 x 87.6 cm (31 1/2 x 34 1/2 in.)
Italian mirror in a poplar frame, rectangular and horizontal, etched with the figures of Hercules and Omphale facing each other across a field of flowers and small shrubbery. On our right, Hercules sits nude except for fabric draped across his hips. Hercules holds a distaff in his outstretched right hand. On the left, Omphale, also nude but for the fabric covering her hips and flowing out behind her, has at her side Hercules’ club. The both sit on raised hills of a field covered in shrubs and trees. The gilded frame is carved with intricate floral patterns.
Raphael Room
Commentary
Isabella Stewart Gardner kept meticulous records of many of her acquisitions. In keeping with this legacy, object information is continually being reviewed, updated, and enriched in order to give greater access to the collection.