Before 1700, the myth of Vertumnus and Pomona was popular, as was Mary Magdalene’s mistaking of the resurrected Christ as a gardener.
Rubens
The first of two articles about painting trees, featuring Rubens, Poussin, Gainsborough, Constable, Corot and others.
How Arachne came to a weaving contest against Minerva, but told the truth about gods and goddess, so was turned into a spider.
The helmets of Minerva, Bellona, Mars, Perseus, Achilles, Aeneas, the Knights of the Round Table, and Joan of Arc.
Cupid makes Pluto fall in love with Ceres’ young daughter Proserpine. When the king of Hades carries her off with him, there are consequences for the whole world.
Perseus describes in his wedding speech how he beheaded Medusa, and how she came to have snakes in her hair.
First Perseus turns Atlas to stone for his failure to offer him hospitality. He then flies on to rescue the beautiful Andromeda, who’s going to be the next meal for a sea-monster.
A small selection of favourites from its huge and eclectic collection, from Duccio in about 1310 to Joseph Wright of Derby and a gem from Thomas Jones.
One of Ovid’s weirdest tales, in which Juno convinces the pregnant Semele to demand her lover Jupiter reveals himself, resulting in her death, caesarian section and his surrogate pregnancy.
In landscapes by Rubens, Constable, Ford Madox Brown, Frederic Edwin Church, Millet, Pissarro, Breton, and Prendergast.
The Eclectic Light Company 