Artwork
Hercules at the Crossroads
Hercules at the Crossroads is an oil painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Paolo de Matteis. It dates from 1698 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.
About this work
Overview
Paolo de Matteis painted *Hercules at the Crossroads* in 1698. Executed in oil on canvas, the work is part of the collection of the Alte Pinakothek in Munich. The composition presents a mythological episode in a landscape setting, rendered with the baroque attention to drama and narrative.
Subject & Meaning
The arrangement evokes the ancient tale of Hercules choosing between a life of ease and a life of virtue.
The scene shows the legendary hero Hercules confronted by two female figures. A woman in a white toga on the left gestures outward, while another in a white garment sits on the ground on the right, both appearing to address the central figure—a muscular, dark‑haired Hercules in a fur loincloth, hand to his face, as if weighing a choice. The arrangement evokes the ancient tale of Hercules choosing between a life of ease and a life of virtue.
Technique & Style
De Matteis employs a clear chiaroscuro, contrasting illuminated figures against a darker, mountainous backdrop. The figures are modeled with smooth brushwork that emphasizes musculature and drapery, while the sky and distant trees are rendered in softer, atmospheric tones, creating depth and a contemplative mood.
History & Provenance
Completed at the close of the 17th century, the painting entered the Alte Pinakothek’s holdings, where it remains on display. Its acquisition reflects the museum’s focus on Baroque Italian art and its interest in narrative works drawn from classical mythology.
Artist & collection
The Choice of Hercules between Virtue and Pleasure
The Choice of Hercules between Virtue and Pleasure
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Paris's Judgement
The Judgement of Paris
Nymph and Satyr
Hercules between Vice and Virtue
Apollo charging the Parcae to visit Ceres, who has fled from the Earth
The Choice of Hercules