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Perseus and Andromeda
1media/1973.117_thumb.jpg2020-05-04T14:13:40-07:00Eta Pastreich46a56eebddbdac46aa757e94bead41c08a9e95b1373371Lovis Corinth, (German, 1858 – 1925), Perseus and Andromeda, from “Classical Legends,” 1919, Drypoint, 13 ½ x 10 ½ inches, Gift of Mrs. Leo Guttman, Source: Binghamton University Art Museumplain2020-05-04T14:13:40-07:00Eta Pastreich46a56eebddbdac46aa757e94bead41c08a9e95b1
Mythological and biblical themes have long been used to justify artistic depictions of the female nude. These veils allowed the nude to be widely accepted, even at times when a dominant morality may have otherwise disapproved of their lasciviousness. All of these depictions by German artist Lovis Corinth use such stories to prominently display nude women, while the men in the scenes are fully clothed, placed peripherally, and relegated to the role of mere foils. In Joseph and Potiphar’s Wife, Joseph is pushed to the edge of the scene, despite being the main subject of the biblical story, while Potiphar's wife occupies the center. In Perseus and Andromeda—a Greek myth in which the hero saves the princess from a sea monster—Perseus is seen as a valiant knight, while Andromeda is figured as a voluptuous woman. These pieces reinforce traditional gender roles by representing women as alternately seductive or helpless.
