Thursday, 8 October 2026

Medusa Gorgon, whom we remember as a terrifying monster with snakes for hair, a lolling tongue, scales, claws and a hideous visage, turning to stone all who meet her gaze, and asleep, beheaded by the valiant Perseus…

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Medusa Gorgon, whom we remember as a terrifying monster with snakes for hair, a lolling tongue, scales, claws and a hideous visage, turning to stone all who meet her gaze, and asleep, beheaded by the valiant Perseus…

A sexist reception of the heritage of world culture leaves outside the brackets of memory the story of how Medusa was turned into a monster: the beauty, raped by Poseidon, found neither help nor consolation in the temple of Athena, protectress of justice, but received instead a curse from the chaste goddess for the defilement of her sanctuary, and was doomed to a tragic and fearsome fate.

Perhaps it is precisely this sorrowful story that is reflected in the eyes of Bernini's beautiful and sad Medusa?

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