NICOLAAS VERKOLJE | Hercules and Omphale

Private collection, France;

Anonymous sale, Paris, Piasa, 18 June 2014, lot 42 (as Attributed to Verkolje).

Nicolaas Verkolje studied under his father Jan Verkolje. Like Jan therefore, Nicolaas specialised in ceiling paintings, portraits, genre scenes and mythological scenes. The present picture depicts the myth of Hercules and Omphale, a tale recounted in both Roman and Greek mythology. Having sought advice from the oracle of Apollo as to how to expiate the murder of one of his friends, Hercules entered the service of Omphale, Queen of Lydia. Soon enough, he had fallen under the Queen's spell, and was consequently reduced to tasks such as spinning wool - a spindle and distaff can be noted in his hands. Omphale is draped in Hercules' famed lion skin, again alluding to her power over him.