Italian school, 17th century. "Defeat of Diomedes, King of Thrace". Oil on canvas. Re-coloured. It presents in the upper right part a figure of Saint Francis painted in a later period than the original one. Measurements: 49 x 68 cm; 58 x 77 cm. (frame). In this Italian painting from the Baroque period with a dynamic composition, the theme of Hercules' victory over Diomedes is represented at the moment of being crushed by a rearing horse. It narrates an episode in the labours of Hercules that has been depicted on numerous occasions in paintings and sculptures from different periods. We refer to the eighth of the hero's twelve labours, which consisted of capturing the four mares of Diomedes, who ate human flesh. Their owner kept them bound in chains and fed them with the flesh of their innocent guests. Hercules managed to snatch them from Diomedes, who went to meet them with his army, but Diomedes overpowered him and threw the body, still alive, to the mares. After devouring the corpse, the mares became so tame that Heracles was able to tie them to Diomedes' chariot and take them to Mycenae, where they were given to Hera as a gift. Dimensions 49 x 68 cm.; 58 x 77 cm. (frame).