Digital Exhibits: Ancient Art 203

McDonough - Medusa in Ancient Greek Art

Introduction

Medusa is one of the most widely recognizable figures from Ancient Greek art.  She is most commonly known for having snakes for hair and having the ability to turn anyone to stone upon looking into her eyes.  She is depicted in several different literary works, including works by ancient writers and poets such as Homer, Hesiod, and Pindar, just to name a few.  Each depiction provides a wide-ranging and diverse picture of the fabled creature.  In art, she is also portrayed very differently from one piece to the next.  Her face is usually designed as either fierce and grotesque, or feminine and composed.  She is most commonly interpreted as an apotropaic symbol used to protect from and ward off any negativity, much like the modern evil eye.  She represents a dangerous threat meant to deter other dangerous threats (evil repelling evil).  Her role in Greek mythology and art reveals a nuanced and complex character with multiple iterations and implications.