Nessus Abducting Deianeira, Marble statue in Tuileries Garden, France
Nessus Abducting Deianeira is a marble sculpture depicting a mythological scene where the centaur attempts to carry off the wife of a legendary hero. The work shows two figures caught in motion, standing about 3 meters tall and 2.5 meters wide.
The work was created in 1892 by a French sculptor during a period when classical mythology returned to prominence in European art. This era marked a renewal of interest in ancient themes after decades dominated by different artistic directions.
The sculpture portrays a moment from Greek mythology that visitors encounter while walking through the Paris gardens. The composition reveals the physical tension between the two figures and captures how this ancient story continues to be displayed in a public space.
The statue stands in the Tuileries Garden in the first arrondissement of Paris and is easy to reach by public transportation. The garden itself is open to foot traffic and invites exploration of numerous sculptures along its pathways.
The work captures the exact moment of abduction, with the centaur attempting to seize the woman while she resists the assault. This portrayal of violence and struggle becomes especially clear through the skilled marble carving of the human bodies.
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