Art is the Solution

Dejanira (Autumn) Source: J. Paul Getty Museum Today is the first day of fall! In honor of the new season, I wanted to share a painting with you that captures the autumnal spirit: Dejanira or Autumn by Gustave Moreau. Dejanira (Autumn) depicts a story from Greek mythology. According to legend, Dejanira was the wife of the great hero Hercules. One day, while attempting to cross a river, Dejanira was abducted by a wild centaur named Nessus. However, Hercules was able to rescue his wife by hiding among the rocks on the other side of the river and successfully ambushing and killing Nessus. This incident indirectly led to Hercules’ death. Moreau’s painting captures Nessus carrying Dejanira across the stream, the moment before the pivotal battle between the centaur and the hero. It can be seen as the calm before the storm, a liminal space on the edge of death and destruction. Moreau was one of the primary leaders of the Symbolist movement, which reacted against the increasing industriali...