Other Images

Perseus

On this red figure hydria (water pot) by the Danae painter, (ca. 450-440 B.C.), Danae and her son, Perseus, are about to be enclosed in the chest and put in the water. Two females stand nearest the chest, with King Acrisius behind them.

This red figure pelike by the vase-painter, Polygnotus, (ca. 450-440 B.C.) shows Perseus about to kill the sleeping Medusa, with the goddess Athena standing behind him. This is the first known vase to show Medusa with the face of a beautiful woman rather than a monster.

Here is Perseus holding the severed head of Medusa. Notice that he is still wearing the cap he got from Hermes/Mercury, and that he looks down, away from the head. You can also see the strap of his bag crossing his chest.

This wall painting, from Pompeii, (c. 50-79 A.D.), shows Perseus helping Andromeda down from the rock on which she had been chained. He has killed the sea monster (barely visible at the lower left of the scene) and still holds Medusa’s head in his left hand.

and here for Danae‘s page.