The Twelve Labors of Heracles

The Capture of Cerberus

The twelfth and final labor of Heracles was to capture Cerberus, the terrifying three headed dog with a mane of snakes who guarded the entrance and exit to the underworld, with his bare hands. The hero made it down to the underworld, where Hades agreed to let him have the dog if he could overcome it. Fortunately, Heracles had smeared raw beef on his hands beforehand, and, letting the distracted dog lick his hands, he slipped a chain around its neck and led it out and back to Eurystheus.

Detail 1

Detail 2

70 cm x 100 cm
oil on canvas
2009