The present group after the model by Canova, which was sculpted in the late 18th century, represents the story told by Ovid. Lichas, the Herald of Heracles gives his master the poisonned shirt of Nessus to wear when he is about to make an offering to Zeus.

Heracles in his concurrent agony took Lichas by the ankle, swung him round three times and hurled him to his peril in the Euboean Sea where he was petrified.