Andries Lens, Hercules protects the muse of Fine Arts from Envy and Ignorance, 1763 by Atelier Liesjes

About "Andries Lens, Hercules protects the muse of Fine Arts from Envy and Ignorance, 1763"

by Atelier Liesjes

About the artwork

Hercules is the Roman name for Heracles, a figure from Greek mythology. Under the name Hercules, he was worshipped as a god in ancient Rome. Heracles is a figure from Greek mythology that also appears in Berber beliefs. He was a Greek heros, and became famous for the 12 difficult works he performed at the behest of King Eurystheus. Heracles was a true hero, whose combination of enormous strength and a hefty dose of cleverness enabled him to perform mighty deeds. In Greek mythology, the nine muses were the goddesses of art and science. They were the symbol of inspiration. The term muse, still used today in the sense of inspiration, is derived from this. Here, one muse sits half topless while Hercules protects her from an assailant. Andries Cornelis Lens or André Corneille Lens (Antwerp, 31 March 1739 - Brussels, 30 March 1822) was a Flemish painter, illustrator, art theorist and art educator. He is known for his history paintings of biblical and mythological subjects and portraits. Wanting to contribute to the revival of painting in Flanders, he drew inspiration from the classical traditions of the 16th century and from Raphael. This made him a promoter of neoclassicism in Flemish art. He was a teacher and director of the Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp. Lens was court painter to the governor general of the Austrian Netherlands and settled in Brussels where he married.