The sculpture Hercules and Lichas created by Antonio Canova is an 11-foot tall masterpiece. The sculpture took Canova 20 years to complete but was worked on in increments due to various interruptions. It depicts a scene from the story of Hercules' death. The story begins when Hercules shoots Nessus, a centaur, with a poison arrow. Before Nessus dies, he gives a shirt with his poisoned blood on it to Hercules's wife. Nessus tells her that if she gives the shirt to Hercules she will never have to doubt Hercules's love for her. Lichas, the servant of Hercules takes the shirt to him but when he puts it on he goes mad from the pain and throws Lichas into the ocean.

The entire sculpture makes a triangle pulling the viewer's eyes to the top. Almost all of the limbs of Hercules and Lichas are parallel, which creates a strong sense of motion upwards and to the right. Both Hercules's visually and physically superior size create a large weight to the right side of the sculpture that also draws the eyes in that direction. There is also a half circle starting and Hercules's left foot running through the lion skin, up through Lichas's body and to Hercules's left arm. This half circle encompasses Hercules drawing focus to him.

Since this sculpture is monotone and was not given any color, detail is very important. And it sure has a lot of detail. Even Hercules's veins near the surface are visible. The tiny creases of the shirt Hercules is wearing are even visible.