Jillian Jezior on Medusa in Rome
The story of Medusa inspires many forms of art. While the meaning of her story is debated, art has been able to show the differences in how her character is portrayed. The origin of Medusa’s remarkable appearance is due to an altercation with the gods: Athena and Poseidon. Medusa, who had possessed remarkable beauty, had caught the eye of Poseidon. He had lusted and assaulted her in a temple that was dedicated to the goddess Athena. Once the act has ensued, Athena transforms Medusa into a hideous woman with snakes for hair. It is said that people can take sanctuary in temples of worship, which would lead to the goddess’ protection. Along with a change in her appearance, she is ‘cursed’ with the ability to turn whoever looked in her eyes into stone. Athena’s intentions for this curse is debated; if she had done this to punish Poseidon or Medusa. Medusa, a victim of Poseidon, is now given an ability that will deem her a monster. Could this have been an effort to give Medusa power over her offender - or a painful reminder that women always experience the consequences. Medusa’s fate had been fulfilled by a hero named Perseus. Her head had become a trophy of a conquest. There are many artists that take inspiration from Medusa’s story. However, different art displays a range of emotions. While in Rome, there had been many depictions of Medusa.
Bernini’s Medusa (Capitoline Museum) sketched by Jillian Jezior (January 2024).
My favorite piece of art had been located in the Capitoline Museum. It had been a head bust sculpted by Bernini. This bust captures the grief of Medusa’s misfortune. This captures the moment that she begins to change. Her face displays the heartbreak and utter surprise that comes with her transformation. It is almost like Medusa is asking Athena, “Why? What did I do?” An artistic decision that Bernini had made to show the transformation was her hair. The stands of her hair are shown to gain conscience as they become snakes.
Antonio Canova’s Perseus and Medusa, Vatican Museums.
A more prevalent portrayal of Medusa is when she is used as an accessory to Perseus. There are statues located in the Vatican Museum and in Florence which show Perseus’ triumph over Medusa. The statue located at the Vatican Museum was sculpted by Antonio Canova in the 1800s. This particular depiction is not as dramatic or gorey as the statue located in Florence. Canova uses his art to show Perseus’ amazement and Medusa’s fear. Although it is not as expressive as Bernini’s Medusa, the head is able to show the agony of her demise. In this version, Canova had included Perseus’ gifts from the gods. In his quest Hermes and Athena had assisted him by providing him with gifts. It is ironic that the sword that Athena had gifted him had been what ended Medusa. Athena and Medusa’s fate had been intertwined. This fact leaves room for the question, “Why would Athena assist in killing the ‘monster’ she created?”
Perseus and Medusa by Benvenuto Cellini (Florence)
The statue of Perseus and Medusa that is located in Florence was made by Benvenuto Cellini. While this statue is similar to Canova’s rendition, Cellini emphasizes the slaughter of Medusa. While Medusa’s head is detached from her body, it displays the torn muscles and spinal cord spilling out of her neck. Below Perseus, at the base of the statue, is Medusa’s sprawled body. Her bodyPerseus is shown to be stepping on it; as a hunter kicks their prey to confirm they’re dead. His gaze is averted down at her body as he presents Medusa’s head. However, he does not seem to look at her defeated body but almost at the onlooking spectators. I wonder if this had been an artistic choice - knowing the statue was going to be presented from above. What makes this piece so dynamic is that from far away it looks as if he is bowing to the gods that he is presenting the head to - almost in a humble way. From the view below, he looms over the spectator - an indifference show of his power. His indifference suggests that he had to lose his part of his humanity to become a spectacle for the gods and therefore above the spectators.The monsters and heroes are all entertainment for the gods.