In Greek mythology, Dejanira is the last mortal spouse of Heracles. She was a princess of Calydon, a city situated on the west bank of the Evenus river

One day when the couple was trying to cross the turbulent river, a centaur named Nessus volunteered his help and claimed that he was trusted by the gods for his honesty. He offered to carry Dejanira on his back so that she would not get wet, and suggested that Heracles may swim across the river by himself. Heracles accepted the offer and threw his weapons over to the other side of the river before jumping into the water. But as soon as he arrived at the opposite bank, he heard the scream of his wife, and saw that the centaur was trying to abuse her. Taking out his bow, Heracles shot an arrow at the centaur which pierced the latter’s chest and Dejanira was saved

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Like the old masters who depicted mythological scenes, here Moreau gave the female protagonist a graceful figure and pale flesh, in contrast against the dark skin and muscular strength of the centaur. But at the same time Moreau broke from tradition by painting a hazy and mysterious landscape in an eerie background

“I have tried to render the harmony that may exist between the world of nature at a certain time of year and certain phases of human life. The centaur seeks to embrace this white and graceful form, which is about to escape him. It is a last gleam, a last smile of nature and life. Winter threatens. Night is coming on. It is autumn” -- Gustave Moreau

The artist intended for Dejanira as a set of works representing the changing seasons: The forest scene depicted here in yellows, oranges, reds and browns conveys its other title, Autumn

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There is a second part to the story ……

Despite the serious wound inflicted upon the centaur, Nessus still managed to whisper some last words to Dejanira: If you mix the blood of the Hydra of Lerna with the blood flowing out from my dying self, and if you add some olive oil and pour the mixture onto my tunic and put it on Heracles, you will forever be guaranteed the fidelity of your husband

Time passed but Dejanira did not forget Nessus’ advice. She later suspected that Heracles was having an affair with Iole (which he did), another beautiful princess. So Dejanira gave the tunic of Nessus to her husband to wear, and the cloth clung onto him, and burnt him to death