In a fit of madness Hercules killed his friend Iphitus, and was condemned to become the slave of Queen Omphale for three years. While in her service his nature changed completely; he lived effeminately, wearing women's dress and spinning wool with the handmaidens of the Queen, who in turn wore his lion's skin.

This very early drawing dates from 1845 when Millais was aged sixteen and a student at the Royal Academy Schools. The foundation of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood was still three years hence. He apparently never made a painting of the subject, which he treats with a good deal of humour.

We are grateful to Dr Malcolm Warner for his help in preparing this entry