Perseus and Andromeda (Leighton)

Perseus and Andromeda is an oil painting by Lord

Andromeda was chained to a rock at the edge of the sea as an offering to the monster. Perseus, who had just fought and defeated Medusa, was travelling back home on his winged horse, Pegasus. He rescued Andromeda by killing the monster. The couple fell in love, but the Princess was already betrothed to Phineus. Perseus and Phineus argued at the wedding, but Perseus held up the head of the defeated Medusa and Phineus was turned to stone.^[10][11][12]

Painting

The mythological theme of Andromeda is depicted in a dramatic manner. The scene is a representation of the myth set on a rocky shore. Perseus is depicted flying above the head of Andromeda, on his winged horse Pegasus. He is shooting an arrow from the air, that hits the sea monster, who turns his head upwards, towards the hero. Andromeda's almost naked, twisted body is shaded by the wings of the dark creature, creating a visual sign of imminent danger. Andromeda's sinuous body is contrasted against the dark masses of the monster's irregular and jagged body.^[4] The white body of Andromeda is depicted in pure and untouched innocence, indicating an unfair sacrifice for a divine punishment that was not directed towards her, but her mother. Pegasus and Perseus are surrounded by a halo of light that connects them visually to the white body of the princess, chained to the rock.^[4]

Leighton cast a small bronze painted plaster sculpture of Andromeda as a study before commencing work on the painting.^[2] The statuette was naked but Leighton placed wet materials over it to achieve the effect he wanted to reproduce in his work.^[2] A later artwork, Perseus on Pegasus Hastening to the Rescue of Andromeda, completed four years later, portrayed the same story.^[2]

References