Oil on cotton fabric,
44cm x 44cm.
Framed in gold-tinted oak. Sold.
 
You’ve probably heard of Medusa. She was one of the three monstrous Gorgons, who were described as winged human females with living venomous snakes in place of hair, whose gaze could turn others to stone. Medusa was decapitated by Perseus and her head, which still bore the power to turn men into stone, was given to the Greek god Athena.
 
Many artistic representations of Medusa capture the moment when Perseus cuts off her head; the hero slaying the monster or the male dominating the evil temptress. These are common tropes. Upon closer inspection of the text you will learn that Medusa was in fact an innocent victim of men who sought the use of her head for their own ends. It is not surprising then that Medusa has become a feminist icon.
 
This contemporary portrait of Medusa shows her eyes and mouth as closed to avoid making her look seductive or intimidating. The snakes’ heads are hidden by the edges of the canvas and their bodies are depicted in a rainbow of colour. A soft light falls on Medusa’s youthful face and in the background we can see snippets of a soft feminine pattern, which is the fabric over which this portrait is painted. Although she is demure, she has a set jaw and a strong chin, which gives her air of quiet determination and resilience. Most importantly, her head remains attached to her body, allowing her to retain control over her body and mind. This new age Medusa has agency and she is whole.