Perseus

Benvenuto Cellini, Perseus Holding Head of Medusa, 1545-1553, Cosimo de’ Medici, Florence Republic, Statue of Perseus.

Max Steward

I’ve selected this piece for exhibition for a multitude of reasons. The “Perseus with the Head of Medusa” statue created by Benvenuto Cellini portrays the Greek myth of Perseus slaying the Gorgon Medusa in his quests. This statue is arguably the greatest representation of not only this myth but how Perseus’s character is perceived by society centuries after the sculpture was first commissioned by Cosimo I de’ Medici in 1545.

This statue was very important in how the Duke established the statue as a symbol of severing the head of the Republic in his effort to promote his system of government. Something very extraordinary and interesting about the completion of this statue was how it was commissioned in 1545, however, was not finished and shown in the Florence town square until 1554 due to the absolute complexity in molding, casting and detailed hardening of the bronze sculpture. The relentless determination of Cellini certainly paid off in how the statue has gained worldwide fame since its release and is considered one of the pinnacles of Italian art and story. Speaking of which, the statue represents the story of the myth of Perseus killing Medusa. There were three gorgons and they were the offspring of Poseidon. Most people don’t know that all three of them could turn a mortal into stone from just a look. An interesting fact, however, is that only Medusa could be killed. Perseus didn’t achieve his feat without help from divine forces. Under the assistance of Athena, he was able to use his shield given to him and see the gorgons in the reflection. After beheading Medusa, Chrysaor and Pegasus both sprung from her severed body. In reference to the textbook, “Chrysaor became the father of the monster, Geryon, and Pegasus was prominent in the legend of Bellerophon.” The ripple effect from the killing of Medusa is very detailed. Afterwards, Perseus used the head to turn Phineus, Andromeda’s previous arranged husband, into stone. Some scholars claim that Perseus set the titan, Atlas, into stone, leaving his body as mountains and body hairs as trees and flora. They also say that some of Medusa’s blood dripped over Libya on his journey back to Seriphos, giving birth to all the poisonous snakes that roam the land.

This piece can be compared to “Perseus Rescuing Andromeda” finished in 1515 by Piero di Cosimo. This similar piece reflects the heroics of Perseus through masterstrokes and vivid imagery, however, it takes a different art form and resembles a different story of Perseus. In this painting Andromeda, daughter of King Cepheus in Ethiopia, was used as a sacrifice and was in harm's way of a sea monster sent by Poseidon in retaliation of Andromeda’s mom saying she had more beauty than the Neireids. Andromeda was said to be needed as sacrifice to the sea monster in order for it to leave the kingdom in peace. However, Perseus had fallen in love with her and made a point to free her and defeat the beast. Scholars say that he used the same sword to kill the beast as the sword he used to kill Medusa. This sword was featured in the statue made by Cellini and is a scimitar, given to him by Hermes. This oil painting by Cosimo was created in roughly half the time (5 years) of the statue and is much smaller. After both Perseus and Andromeda eventually died, they were sent to the stars to shine as constellations.

The statue features the invisibility cap, pair of flying sandals, and kibises that Perseus was given by the three daughters of Phorcys, nymphs who he had put under duress for information to lead him on his quest, done so by seizing their eye and tooth that the nymphs had to share among themselves.

Cellini labored relentlessly on the statue to the point of sickness. Finally, the furnace exploded and rainfall falling through the burning roof led to an epitome in which, with the help of assistants he finally completed the statue. Ultimately, the “Perseus with the Head of Medusa” statue, still on display in piazza della Signoria in Florence, Italy, is available for anyone to see and experience the myth of Perseus to this day. Standing on a square base, the statue is 7.5 feet tall, reflective of Perseus’ larger than life character and history.

Loris Desbele

I have chosen an image of “Perseus with the head of Medusa” as a statue created by Benvenuto Cellini. In this essay I will research and report facts of the piece, highlighting Cellini’s influence, and compare Cellini’s work to “Plaster Cast Frieze of Metope: Perseus Beheading Medusa in Front of Athena” that was made around 530 BCE during the Archaic period. .

Benvenuto Cellini was a Florentine goldsmith, sculptor and author. This work, which stood until present day in the Loggia dei Lanzi looking out upon the Piazza della Signoria, which is the heart of the Florentine republic, was the product of the artist’s maturity and is considered his masterpiece. Cellini's relentless determination certainly paid off in how the statue has gained worldwide fame since its release and is considered one of the pinnacles of Italian art and history. The sculpture was commissioned by Cosimo de’ Medici, the Duke of Florence between 1537 and 1574. The Medici had previously been banished from Florence by the republican government, but they would later reclaim control. In this piece, Cosimo aimed to celebrate the Medici's triumph while also emphasizing the danger that awaited their adversaries.

The statue shows Perseus as he is standing tall and undefeated, raising Medusa's decapitated head with his left hand. He carries a curved sword or scimitar that he received from Hermes, on his right hand and winged sandals that are placed on his head and cap of invisibility that he received from the Graeae. The Graeae also gave Perseus a kibisis, some type of bag to put Medusa's head in. But the kibisis is not included in the sculpture. I also found it extremely weird how most sculptures and paintings of Greek heroes and divinities are completely naked. I wonder what purpose this serves in interpretation of artistic works. Although the heroic figure is triumphant, his head and eyes are bent down, both to prevent him from looking at the head and to show modesty of victory.

Perseus boasted that he could easily give Polydectes the Gorgon’s head and Polydectes ordered him to perform the task. Perseus took on the Journey with the help of Athena, Hermes, and the Graeae. There were three Gorgons and they were all offsprings of Poseidon. The Gorgons could turn a mortal into stones just by a look. As they were asleep Perseus came and was led there and protected by Athena against the Gorgons only looking at them through a reflection in his brazen shield. Out of the three Gordon’s Medusa was the only mortal and Perseus beheaded her and put her head in the kibisis. As he beheaded her, Chrysaor and Pegasus sprang out of her body. Perseus was able to fly away unharmed wearing the cap of invisibility.

In comparison to the sculpture of Cellini, I would like to compare it to the sculpture of “Plaster Cast Frieze of Metope: Perseus Beheading Medusa in Front of Athena” that was made around 530 BCE during the Archaic period. “Limestone metope from Selinus, ca. 540 B.C.; height 58 in. To the left stands Athena, wearing a peplos. The winged horse, Pegasus, springs from the body of Medusa. The frontality of the figures compels the viewer to confront the horror of Medusa’s face and the necessity for Perseus of avoiding her gaze.” Unlike Cellini’s sculpture this sculpture contains the presence of Athena, Pegasus, and Medusa’s full body. I think that this sculpture makes me question the creator because Athena was not physically present when the beheading occured. So, why is she present in the sculpture?

Citation

Plaster Cast Frieze of Metope: Perseus Beheading Medusa in Front of Athena. Plaster Cast Frieze of Metope: Perseus Beheading Medusa in Front of Athena, Search the Collection, Spurlock Museum, U of I. Retrieved February 14, 2022, from

https://www.spurlock.illinois.edu/collections/search-collection/details.php?a=1914.04.0011

Perseus with the Head of Medusa. Perseuss (n.d.). Retrieved February 14, 2022, from

https://www.wga.hu/html_m/c/cellini/3/

O.,M.M.P., Lenardon, R. J., & Sham, M. (2019). Classical mythology (11th ed.). Oxford University Press.

michelle - 1 November 2018 0, June 2020 0. (2020, June 17). Perseus with the head of Medusa: A masterpiece of mannerism. Italian Ways. Retrieved February 14, 2022, from https://www.italianways.com/perseus-with-the-head-of-medusa-a-masterpiece-of-mannerism/