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'.
The Choice of Hercules by Paolo de' Matteis, 1712
© Ashmolean Museum
Details
- Medium:
- Oil on canvas
- Dimensions:
- 198 x 256 cm
- Art Fund grant:
- £16,000 ( Total: £65,000)
- Acquired in:
- 1980
- Vendor:
- Christie's
Shaftesbury's persistent ill health forced him to retire to Naples where he wrote the work.
Provenance
Earls of Shaftesbury by descent until sold at Christie's.
Venue details
Ashmolean Museum
Beaumont Street, OXFORD
Oxfordshire
OX1 2PH
01865 278000
www.ashmolean.org
Entry details
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