Louvre

Hercules fighting Acheloüs metamorphosed into a snake

François-Joseph BOSIO.

The plaster model was exhibited at the Salon of 1814. The subject is taken from Ovid's Metamorphoses: Achelous was the rival of Hercules for the sake of Deianira; during the fight, Achelous turned into a serpent but was defeated by Hercules. Thus Hercules was fond of Dejanire. Subsequently, trying to revive the love he had for him, Dejanire offered Hercules a tunic impregnated with the blood of Nessus who, instead of being a love potion, turned out to be a burning poison.