Curator’s Remarks: Medusa
Museum piece: https://www.dailyartmagazine.com/perseus-and-the-head-of-medusa/
Kelly Makin
The work of art pictured in this article by James Wray, sculpted in the 1500s by Benvenuto Cellini, is nothing short of an example of master sculpting. As Wray explains, Cellini crafted this work with a “single piece of bronze” which was very difficult to do, especially at that time and at that level of “complexity.” However, with this article, James Wray takes this piece of art to another level by delving into the depths of its political and social symbolism that extend beyond the bronze statue and even the myth of Perseus and Medusa itself. He covers the ways in which capturing in bronze the gruesome mythical story took over much of Cellini’s life, as well as his identity. It came out perfectly, with attention paid to every last detail, because it was such a significant piece and so important to him as the creator. He had made it on commission, and in keeping his buyer in mind, Cellini was able to craft symbolism of the existing political and social dynamic that had to do with the threatening of democracy at the time by the republic. It also remained out in the open, unlike other similar pieces that were kept inside museums and galleries for safekeeping, and this was meant to send a message to the people who encountered it. To me, this analogization of the myth with the political climate at the time truly demonstrates the idea of a dangerous uprising, being brought down by those who do “good,” and leading to bigger and better things that were not necessarily foreseen.
The story of Medusa is known to be a hero’s story, one where Perseus slays the terrifying but mortal Gorgon, and Chrysaor and Pegasus are born of Poseidon from her then headless body. In comparison, Cellini created the statue as a metaphorical representation of the politics going on for the Duke, mentioned by James Wray, to symbolize the destruction of the experimental Republic by the everlasting democracy, which, when left in the public eye, provided continuous positive reinforcement of the result of the battle. This interpretation of ancient myth is used in many places still today, but the political lessons learned and enforced with them can truly be exemplified with this story of Perseus and Medusa. Cellini made sure that the intricacy of his work would be realistic enough to remain present in the eyes of those who fell in line under the Duke. Personally, I think it would have been even more meaningful if Cellini had his own underlying motives for creating such a piece –– although, had he wanted to do it for himself, could it have possibly been any more meaningfully placed or crafted? If he had, however, I think the piece may have been more based in artistic, creative expression rather than political symbolism.
Ricky Nguyen
In Benvenuto Cellini’s Perseus with the Head of Medusa statue, the Greek hero Perseus is seen holding up the Gorgon Medusa’s decapitated head in a triumphant pose, satisfaction painted on his face. This bronze sculpture was built in the period 1545-1554, and can currently be found in Florence, Italy, within the Loggia dei Lanzi. Although not as widely known as Michealangelo’s David statue (1501-1504), Cellini’s Perseus with the Head of Medusa is unique in its way of creation, and has become one of the most refined pieces of art in the world. But beneath the solid bronze of such a famous statue is a symbol spanning multiple eras—one that represents the life of a woman within its underlying purpose.
Benvenuto Cellini was described as an erratic and unrestrained person, often getting prosecuted for fighting, stealing, sodomy, and even murder. But what he was recognized for the most, was his talent in gold smithing. Coming from the exalted Michelangelo himself, Benvenuto Cellini was “the greatest goldsmith of whom we have ever heard” (Wray). Cellini, nonetheless, didn't think this praise from Michaelangelo was enough, as his desire was to eventually become a household name. With a commission from Cosimo I de’ Medici in 1545, Cellini’s talent in goldsmithing and his unorthodox tendencies were exceptionally displayed for the world to see, having meticulously casted the whole sculpture from a single piece of bronze (Wray).
The statue of Perseus with the Head of Medusa was inspired by the Greco-Roman myth of Perseus and Medusa first introduced by Hesiod’s Theogony. Medusa, one of the three Gorgon sisters born from Keto and Phorkys (primordial sea gods), was the only mortal among her immortal siblings and was said to have been extremely beautiful (Mortford, p. 543-554). Medusa however, was then cursed by Athena into possessing snakes for hair, thus, giving her a hideous appearance. This was all due to the fact that she was raped by Poseidon within Athena’s temple, therefore tainting its “holyness.” Perseus on the other hand, was the son of Zeus and Danaë. Shortly after his birth, Perseus was cast away into the sea and eventually washed up onto the island of Seriphus, in which its ruler, King Polydectes of Seriphus, tricked Perseus into obtaining the head of Medusa. In order to do this, Perseus receives the help of Hermes and Athena, successfully decapitates Medusa in her sleep, and escapes the pursuit of her Gorgon sisters unharmed (Britannica).
The positive praise behind the statue of Perseus with the Head of Medusa also represents the publics’ dark understanding of men and women in retrospect. Within the writings of Hesiod and Homer (considered the creators of Greek mythology), an overwhelming majority of their stories include rape, assault, incest, murder, and other themes of similar nature—nearly all of which seem to picture women in a bad light. As previously mentioned, the story of Medusa in this case depicts an innocent woman being punished for her own rape by the god Poseidon (who could not be punished by Athena herself, as Poseidon was Athena’s uncle and had higher status and power). Medusa had become a scapegoat for the crimes of a man who did what he wanted because he knew he could get away with it. Omitting the myth itself, we can see a similar dynamic at play within contemporary works like that of the movie 365 Days. In terms of its plot, a woman is kidnapped by a man and she is given 365 days to fall in love with him. After its release, many people were seen online describing the male character as “hot,” completely ignoring all the crimes he commited and seemingly justifying his sexual abuse solely because of the fact that the male character was a rich, bearded, steaming-hot hunk of a man. Whether in modern representation or ancient, men are typically seen as unpunishable and forgivable while women are often vilified and punished when it comes to sexual violence and crimes alike.
Perseus with the Head of Medusa is one out of many pieces of art with such an underlying meaning, and combined with its unorthodox method of creation, makes it one of the best works of art I’ve ever analyzed.
Works Cited (Kelly Makin)
Morford, Mark, et al. Classical Mythology. 11th ed., Oxford UP, 2019.
Wray, James. Perseus and the head of Medusa - A Very Florentine story. DailyArt Magazine. (2021, October 19). Retrieved February 14, 2022, from https://www.dailyartmagazine.com/perseus-and-the-head-of-medusa/
Works Cited (Ricky Nguyen)
Wray, James. Perseus and the head of Medusa - A Very Florentine story. DailyArt Magazine. (2021, October 19). Retrieved February 14, 2022, from https://www.dailyartmagazine.com/perseus-and-the-head-of-medusa/
Morford, Mark, et al. Classical Mythology. 11th ed., Oxford UP, 2019.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, inc. (n.d.). Perseus. Encyclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved February 14, 2022, from https://www.britannica.com/topic/Perseus-Greek-mythology