Dejanira (Autumn), Gustave Moreau (c. 1872-73)
Gustave Moreau’s Dejanira (Autumn) depicts the myth of Nessus and Dejanira with dreamlike intensity. The centaur, rendered in dark, muscular tones, reaches for Dejanira’s pale, elegant form—not in violent struggle, but as if in a fleeting dance. Set against a jagged, atmospheric landscape, the painting evokes mystery rather than realism. Moreau dissolves detail into rich fields of color, emphasizing mood over form. Intended as part of a seasonal series, the work’s autumnal palette—deep reds, ochres, browns, and creamy whites—symbolizes the final glow of life before the descent into winter.
Cotton and polyester canvas on Radiata pine wood frame sourced from renewable forests. Includes back mounting.
