Fine Art Giclee on Fine Art Paper
5" x 7"
Medusa's myth is one of tragedy and outrage, but, in modern interpretations, has become one of power, rage, and a feminist call to action.
Before Medusa became the snake-headed gorgon, Medusa was a beautiful mortal woman that had committed her life to be a priestess of the Goddess Athena. Tragically, Medusa was in Athena’s temple where she was assaulted and impregnated by Poseidon. Athena, enraged by the desecration of her temple, punished Medusa by turning her into a Gorgon, a hideous monster with huge teeth, scales instead of skin, sharp claws, and snakes for hair. Her gaze would turn any onlooker, mortal or God, into stone. In her shame, Medusa fled and hid herself away with her three, gorgon sisters.
Later, Medusa was slain by the hero, Perseus, with the help of Athena (some believe this was Athena's attempt at showing mercy) and the Messenger God, Hermes. A King named Polydectes sent Perseus on a mission to retrieve Medusa’s head in an attempt to get rid of Perseus so he could marry Perseus’ mother. With Hades’ invisibility Cap, Hermes' Winged Sandals, and a shield gifted to him by Athena, Perseus watched Medusa in the reflection of the shield and, using her reflection, was able to observe her and behead her without being turned to stone. When Perseus beheaded Medusa, her children, Chrysoar, a young man, and Pegasus, the winged horse, sprung from her neck. Perseus returned with Medusa’s head, intentionally revealed it to Polydectes, and turned him into stone. Perseus then gifted Athena Medusa’s head and it is famously displayed on her shield, the Aegis, the same shield Perseus used to slay Medusa.
Because of this, Medusa’s head became a symbol of protection. Her head was displayed over the entryways of homes, tombs, and other buildings to ward off evil spirits and protect both the living and the dead.