15. Head of Medusa

Art Gallery of Ontario

15 Head of Medusa, Moravian Gallery in Brno NICO VAN HOUT: The painting we've got in front of us is called the Medusa. NARRATOR: According to some versions of Medusa’s story, she was once a beautiful young woman, who was raped by the sea god Poseidon in the temple of Athena. Unfairly blaming Medusa for having desecrated the sacred space of her temple, Athena became enraged with her. NICO VAN HOUT: She was punished by the goddess, who transformed her long hair into horrible snakes and all sorts of small creatures you see creeping out. NARRATOR: Anyone who looked at Medusa was turned instantly to stone. But eventually the hero Perseus managed to cut off her head by looking only at her reflection in his polished shield. Rubens portrays Medusa’s severed head. Disturbingly, the snakes are still full of life, while her ashen face is frozen in an expression of pure horror. Around her lurk a scorpion, a lizard, spiders and a worm. NICO VAN HOUT: Reubens really took care to look at books and to look for small images of strange creatures he could use in in this work. NARRATOR: In his splendid Antwerp mansion, Rubens had collections of art, antiquities and curiosities, as well as an extensive library of books he could consult to help inspire details like these.