Pyrene’s Lament

Pyrene’s myth has various versions; in some she is the lover of Hercules, in others his victim… I gravitate towards the latter.

From Wikipedia: { Pyrene was a very beautiful princess, daughter of king Bebryx or Bebrycius of the Bebryces, an ancient people living on both sides of the Pyrenees which divided Spain from Gaul. One day the hero Heracles arrived in their court on his way to obtain the flock of Geryon. After Heracles got thoroughly drunk with wine, Pyrene was “robbed of her maidenhood” by him who then left to resume his mission.

After many months passed, Pyrene eventually gave birth to a serpent. In fear and terror of her father’s reaction and wrath, she fled the court and hid in the woods in the Pyrenees. There she shed bitter tears over her ravisher Heracles and repeated his promises to the trees, mourning her treatment. But she drew the attention of wild beasts, who proceeded to tear her apart from limb to limb.

In the meantime Heracles was done with the flock, and passed through Spain once more to return home. He stumbled upon Pyrene’s mangled remains, a sight which caused him great grief. His cries when he located her head made the very mountain range shake, which therefore took the name of the unfortunate maiden. Then, as last tribute, he buried her remains deep into the earth as he wept.}

Pyr, πυρ in ancient Hellenic means fire… and that aspect of her lament in my sculpture, fiery tears, I tried to signify by using LED lighting inserted at the back side of this wax sculpture.
Along with other things that will remain unnamed.

It has been a long journey the completion of this sculpture, over 4 years…
Better late than never.

Hand sculpted wax candle
Dimensions: 50 x 15 x 15cm.

 

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Sing to me, Lisa

 

 

 

 

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Spira / Nick © January 2026