The Choice of Hercules

Paolo de' Matteis (1662 - 1728)

Ashmolean Museum

1712

The painting was commissioned by Anthony Ashley Cooper, 3rd Earl of Shaftesbury, to complete the project for a history painting outlined in the Earl's 'A Notion of the Historical Draught of Hercules'. Shaftesbury's persistent ill health forced him to retire to Naples where he wrote the work.

• Medium: oil on canvas
• Dimensions: 198 x 256 cm
• Art Fund Grant: £16000 ( Total: £65,000)
• ArtFunded in: 1980
• Vendor: Christie's

Provenance

Earls of Shaftesbury by descent until sold at Christie's.

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