The Twelve Labors of Heracles

The Nemean Lion

Heracles’ first task was to slay and skin the ferocious Nemean lion who wandered about terrorizing the northeastern Peloponnese. He had planned to attack the beast with a bow and arrow, but when he found it and shot at it, the arrows bounced off harmlessly--the lion’s skin was impenetrable, forcing Heracles to fight the creature with his bare hands. He strangled the lion and skinned it, keeping the valuable pelt for himself as armor, which he wore from then on.

Here is a decription of the development of this piece in my blog.

Detail 1

Detail 2

70 cm x 95 cm
oil on canvas
2009