Choice of Hercules between Virtue and Pleasure 1764

Benjamin West created this oil painting of Hercules choosing between Virtue and Pleasure sometime in the late 18th or early 19th century. The painting’s message about choosing the correct moral path reflects the social and cultural values of its time. West was an American-born artist who achieved great success in England, becoming president of the Royal Academy. The Royal Academy played a central role in shaping artistic taste and promoting specific values, and West’s work often aligned with its conservative ideals. Paintings like this served a public role, reinforcing established norms and hierarchies. Hercules, a classical hero, symbolizes the importance of moral choices, reflecting the era's emphasis on virtue. The painting promotes a conservative message. The choice that Hercules must make creates a set of meanings about how to live in society. To fully understand this artwork, we can examine the writings of the period, as well as the exhibition history of the Royal Academy. Art is always contingent on its social and institutional context.