A Brussels mythological tapestry, The Labours of Hercules ( 2): Hercules and Cacus, probably ...

A Brussels mythological tapestry,
The Labours of Hercules ( 2): Hercules and Cacus,
probably mid-16th century, in the manner of Bernard van Orley, the tenth labour of Hercules, on the left background, are subsidiary events from the eleventh, labour, with the Hesperides guarding the Golden Apples, assisted by the dragon Ladon, to the right Hercules is lifting Antaeus and squeezing him to death, Brussels town mark to bottom left, within an en suite border,
11ft high x 14ft 5ins wide (335, x 449cm)

Provenance: By repute, the Pallavicino Family, by descent to Marchese Serra, Palazzo Verde, Genoa;
from whom purchased by J Pierpont Morgan and gifted to Walter Hayes Burns;
Christie's, North Mymms Park, September 1979, lot 501.

The, tenth Labour of Hercules was the Capture of the Oxen of Geryones in Erythia. Many attempts were made to deprive Hercules of the oxen, notably by Cacus, a giant who lived in a cave on Mt. Aventius. Cacus stole some of the cattle and attempted to, conceal their traces by dragging them backwards by their tails into the cave. As the other cattle passed the cave, those within started to bellow and were thus discovered, whereupon Cacus was slain by Hercules.