From his battle with the sea monster to the deadly fight at his wedding to Andromeda, paintings by Titian, Veronese, Burne-Jones, Vallotton and others.
Titian
Huge clam shells were a common feature in paintings of the birth of Venus, and other classical myths. They also feature in many ‘vanitas’ paintings.
Titian died of the plague, and Austrian artists were badly affected by the influenza pandemic of 1918, losing both Klimt and Schiele.
From bizarre origins as his mother was consumed by fire, and he completed gestation in Zeus’ thigh, to his marriage to Ariadne on the island of Naxos.
A virgin goddess who is sometimes the major goddess of childbirth, or the great mother of nature. A huntress and goddess of the Moon.
Scenes from Perseus and Andromeda, and Orlando Furioso, by Veronese, Moreau, Burne-Jones, Vallotton and others.
Many myths concern his endless adulterous rapes of mortals and subsequent pregnancies, but there’s also Philemon and Baucis.
The climax: Satan enters the serpent, and tempts Eve to eat the forbidden fruit of the tree of knowledge. Adam and Eve are undone.
Was a primordial deity, attendant at Aphrodite’s birth, or her son by Ares/Mars? When did he get his bow and arrows? Answered in fine paintings.
Often an excuse for a classical nude, at least two paintings show her clothed, and many reveal her love affairs.
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