The Evolution of Medusa: Monster, Victim, or Maiden?
This Halloween, let’s take a closer look at a misunderstood figure
Medusa, 1595–1598, Caravaggio Merisi. Uffizi Gallery
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Every October, content producer Mel Casas takes us on a tour of the darker items in Getty’s collection.
So far, we’ve thumbed through medieval illuminations of literal hellmouths, and marveled at golden tickets to the underworld. This week, we’re looking at the many depictions of Medusa in Getty’s collection.
In the ancient Mediterranean world, Medusa was everywhere. Stories of Medusa stretch back to at least the 8th century BCE. We’ve been telling her tale for almost three millennia…which leaves plenty of room for interpretation.
Medusa the Monster
Early stories depict Medusa and her two gorgon sisters as monsters; on this wine ladle, they’re seen running from the Greek hero, Perseus.
Attic Black-Figure Kyathos (Ladle) with Perseus chasing Gorgons, 510–500 B.C., Attributed to Near the Theseus Painter. Terracotta, 5 13/16 × 3 1/8 × 4 5/16 in. Getty Museum, 86.AE.146
Medusa is caught and beheaded by Perseus, who gives her head to the goddess Athena to use as protection.
Perseus and Medusa, about 1750, Italian. Hard-paste porcelain, polychrome enamel decoration, gilding, 17 3/4 × 13 × 11 in., 18 lb. Getty Museum, 94.SE.76.2
Medusa the Wronged
In some later stories, Medusa is depicted as a beautiful woman assaulted by Poseidon in Athena’s temple. Enraged, Athena unjustly turns her into a creature with snakes for hair. These pieces depict Medusa somewhere between maiden and monster.
Medusa, 1911, Vincenzo Gemito. Partially gilt silver, 9 1/4 in. Getty Museum, 86.SE.528
Roundel with the Head of Medusa, A.D. 150–235, Silver with gilding, remains of bronze attachments on the back, 3 7/16 × 1 9/16 in. Getty Museum, 96.AM.207
Medusa the Protector
Medusa’s many stories explain why we see her in so many different contexts in art. And because her gaze turned folks to stone—and still did even after her beheading by Perseus—that may be why she is often seen as a symbol of protection.
Here, she stands guard at the center of the front panel of a Roman sarcophagus.
Front Panel of a Garland Sarcophagus, about A.D. 140–170, Roman. Light gray marble (Phrygian marble), 36 × 89 × 7 5/16 in. Getty Museum, 72.AA.152
Here, she appears on an engraved gem to ward off evil spirits.
Engraved Scarab with Head of a Gorgon, about 500 B.C., Greek. Cornelian, 5/16 × 5/8 × 1/2 in. Getty Museum, 81.AN.76.3
And here she is an architectural ornament that protected an ancient building and its inhabitants.
Akroterion with Medusa, 300–275 B.C., Etruscan. Tufa, 20 1/16 × 15 3/8 × 24 1/2 in. Getty Museum, 78.AA.10
Consider Medusa talismans the ancient equivalent of placing the evil eye emoji in your Instagram bio.
Hand Mirror Decorated with the Head of Medusa, 500–480 B.C., Italian. Bronze, 7 15/16 × 5 7/8 × 13/16 in. Getty Museum, 96.AC.109
Lamp, 1st–4th century A.D., Roman. Terracotta, 1 1/16 × 3 1/8 × 4 3/4 in. Getty Museum, 83.AQ.377.33
So, what’s your take on Medusa: monster, victim, or maiden? Want to see more? Check out Mel’s Macabre Minute series on Instagram.
