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The moral theme of this allegorical picture is derived from the Greek philosopher Prodicus, a friend of Socrates and Plato, and is told in Xenophon's 'Memorabilia' (c.430 BC–354 BC). Hercules, young, beardless and crowned with a laurel, leans on his club at a cross road. The two female figures represent Virtue and Vice. The latter, clad in more revealing orange robes, is accompanied by Cupid, who offers a posy of flowers up to Hercules. She gestures towards an easy path to a sunny valley below. Virtue, chastely dressed in white, points towards the difficult path, a steep rocky ascent. Hercules looks at Virtue, knowing he should choose her path. Hercules overcame snakes more than once in his life and the presence of the snake on the ground is symbolic.
Title
The Choice of Hercules
Date
c.1636/1637
Medium
oil on canvas
Measurements
H 88.5 x W 72 cm
Accession number
732103
Acquisition method
gift from Sir Henry Hugh Arthur Hoare along with the estate, house and its contents, 1946
Work type
Painting
National Trust, Stourhead
Stourton, Warminster, Wiltshire BA12 6QD England
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