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Mythology in Art. By: Carroll, Colleen. Arts & Activities, May2013,Vol. 153 Issue 4, p1919, 1p Abstract: The article offers aneducational resource that explores the use of myth in art.Particular focus is given to Greek mythology. Additional topicsdiscussed include the story of the mythical creature Medusa, thesculpture "Perseus with the Head of Medusa," by BenvenutoCellini and insights on Cellini's technique.; (AN 87381484)

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Mythology in Art

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To this day, the name alone has the power to send chills up the spine; yet to the ancient Greeks, the verythought of her could (and did) instill terror in the heartiest of souls.

According the Greek mythology, Medusa was a Gorgon, a snakehaired monster capable of turning anyliving thing that had the misfortune to look upon her to stone. But Medusa was not always a Gorgon: shetransformed into one.

The story of Medusa has been told for centuries, the conclusion of which is portrayed in this month's Clip& Save Art Print. The bronze statue, Perseus with the Head of Medusa, by the Mannerist sculptorBenvenuto Cellini, depicts the moment directly after the demigod Perseus chops off Medusa's head,thereby fulfilling his promise to deliver it to the abusive King Polydektes of Seriphos, who is planning tomarry his mother, Daena, against her will.

Although Perseus represents the classic hero in this myth, Medusa's back story, and what made her themost evil and terrifying creature in Greek mythology, bears explanation. Medusa was once a beautifulpriestess in the service of the goddess, Athena. One day, while performing her duties in Athena's temple(the Parthenon), Poseidon, god of the sea, savagely rapes the beautiful virgin. Because her position aspriestess required she live a chaste life, the brutal act is considered a sacrilege of the highest degree.

Instead of blaming Poseidon, Athena curses the young Medusa, causing her beautiful face to wither andcrack, and her long hair to be replaced by writhing, venomous serpents: a Gorgon monster. Athenabanishes Medusa to a remote island to live out her days in solitude. As a final curse, any living thing thatlooked upon her face would instantly be turned to stone.

During ancient times, the image of Medusa was so feared that warriors often rode into battle with itemblazoned on their chest plates, as seen in the Pompeian mosaic fragment of Alexander the Great, andparents placed her image on dangerous objects, such as ovens, to keep their children from harm.

ABOUT THE ARTWORKBenvenuto Cellini (15001571) was a Florentine goldsmith, sculptor, and writer. This month's Clip & SaveArt Print, Perseus with the Head of Medusa, is considered his masterpiece. Cast using the lost wax

technique, the sculpture is revered for elegance of line, complex details, and dramatic effect, all hallmarksof the Mannerism, a period of art that occurred during the High Renaissance. "Derived from the Italianmaniera,' meaning simply 'style,' mannerism is sometimes defined as the 'stylish style' for its emphasis onselfconscious artifice over realistic depiction" (source: www.nga.gov).

In his autobiography, Cellini wrote of the difficulty he encountered in casting the piece, which wascommissioned by Duke Cosimo d'Medici I as a symbol of his political power. "Cellini's Perseus also haspolitical meaning, just like the vast majority of the statuary in the piazza. Indeed, it represents the newGrand Duke's desire to break away from experiences of the earlier republic and send a message to thepeople, which are represented by Medusa" (source: www.turismo.intoscana.it).

The 18foot sculpture, which stands in the Loggia dei Lanzi in the Piazza Signoria, shows the youthfulPerseus on top of Medusa's headless body as he triumphantly holds his prize aloft. The level of detail isremarkable for a bronze sculpture, and it has been noted that Cellini's expertise as a goldsmith allowedhim to achieve such results, as evidenced by the subtly modeled musculature, the treatment of the hero'shair, and the serpents and gore that make Medusa terrifying even when dead. Cellini must have beenquite proud of his work, as he signed his name on the strap that runs diagonally across Perseus' chest.

PRIMARYBefore sharing the Art Print with students, tell them a simplified tale of the Perseus and Medusa legendsto prepare them for the graphic nature of the Cellini sculpture. After sharing the Art Print, lead a shortdiscussion about how snake imagery has been used since ancient times, often as monstrous or evilcreatures. Point out that instead of hair, Medusa's head is covered with poisonous snakes.

Give students an opportunity to create an original character that incorporates snakes or other animals.Once students finish their art work, challenge them to write or tell a short story featuring their character.(Have younger students dictate their story; older students can write out their piece). Collect all stories andimages into an illustrated class myth book.

ELEMENTARYOne of the most popular book series at the elementary level is Rick Riordans' Percy Jackson and theOlympians series. In the first book in the series, The Lightning Thief, Percy (named after the demigodPerseus), slays Medusa in her stone garden. Many students will be familiar with Riordan's contemporaryupdate on the classic tale of Perseus and Medusa.

Show a clip from the movie that features Medusa before introducing the Art Print(www.youtube.com/watch?v=KY4q2m9OFE). Explain to students that the Medusa subject and imagehas been popular since ancient times, and is still a fertile subject for contemporary artists and writers(such as Riordan). Show students additional examples of Medusa imagery, such as the oil on wood panelpainting by Caravaggio in the Uffizi Musuem in Florence. (There are many images of Medusa on GoogleImages, many of which are inappropriate for elementary age children. Do a presearch of your imagebase and select a few that are suitable to show your class). Give students time to create their own imageof Medusa. Display all finished work alongside the Art Print.

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Many middleschool socialstudies programs include a study of the ancient Greeks and Romans. Whenyour students are learning about ancient Greek history, share the Art Print and begin a short unit on theimagery of Greek mythology. As students view the Art Print, read a class version of the story, such as theexample found at www.greekmythsgreekmythology. com/mythperseusandmedusa/.

Next, share the following video that tells the tale from Medusa's point of view: www.teacher.scholastic.com/scholasticnews/magazines/assets/scope/medusavideo.html.

Have student work in teams to create a movie poster for a film entitled: The New Adventures of Perseusand Medusa. Have students think of the key elements of the story, and how both characters will bedepicted based on the classic tale, or based on Medusa's side of the story.

HIGH SCHOOLShare the Art Print and the title of the Cellini masterpiece. Although some students may be familiar withthe myth of Perseus and Medusa, screen the 45minute video that tells the story of Medusa's curse andhow she came to be a gorgon monster: www.documentaryflick.com/clashofthegodsmedusa/#.

Discuss the documentary, asking students to reconsider how they feel about Medusa as the classicmonster of myth. Challenge students to make their own short animated film that tells the story fromMedusa's point of view.

Childe Hassam (American; 18591935). Allies Day, May 1917, 1917. Oil on canvas; 36.5" x 30.25".National Gallery of Art. Washington, D.C. Artwork is in the Public Domain.

~~~~~~~~By Colleen Carroll

Source: Arts & Activities, May2013, Vol. 153 Issue 4, p19, 1pItem: 87381484