The Marriage of Hercules and Hebe

This picture shows the aftermath of Hercules' death. In the lower left, behind his amazed followers, the hero's funeral pyre still burns, whilst to the right his earthly wife, Deianeira, mourns her husband, accompanied by a weeping putto. Above, however, Hercules is shown after his apotheosis. Received into the company of the Gods, and forgiven by his stepmother, Hera, he is seen marrying Hebe, Goddess of Youth.

Around them are represented most of the pantheon of the classical deities, many of them readily identifiable: Hercules is accompanied by Mercury, with his caduceus and distinctive cap (a petasus), and crowned by the winged figure of Fame, whilst between him and Hebe is perhaps Venus, holding a mirror. To his right kneels Diana, beside Cybele, the earth-goddess with her globe, whilst Ganymede presents a cup of nectar. Below them are grouped variously Ceres, holding a sheaf of corn, Bacchus, with a bunch of grapes, Apollo with his lyre and Pan with his syrinx, or pan-pipes. Above are Minerva, in a helmet with a spear, and Neptune, with a trident on the right of the picture, and over all of them, Jupiter and Hera, with their eagle and peacock.