Description
“Medusa”, -M.Caravaggio (1597). Art Greeting Card from the Watermark “Eternity” card range. Image was reproduced by Peter Nicholson, the creator of Watermark Publishing. From an old photo slide he has presented the image on a colourful background, and paired it with a humorous quote “I’m never going back there again”. Card size is 15x15cm.
Origin of the painting and original artist, and the mythology of “Medusa”
This image was originally painted by Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (1571–1610). He was an Italian Baroque painter known for his dramatic use of light and shadow, called chiaroscuro. His realistic, emotional style broke from tradition and influenced many artists. Caravaggio led a turbulent life, often marked by violence and exile, but his art remains highly celebrated.
This famous image shows the head of Medusa, a figure from ancient Greek mythology. The artwork is called Medusa and was painted on a round canvas shaped like a shield. Caravaggio used oil paints and created it on a wooden surface covered in canvas. It is one of the most striking images of Medusa ever made.
In Greek myths, Medusa was once a beautiful woman. But after she was cursed by the goddess Athena, she was turned into a monster. Her hair became a nest of live snakes, and anyone who looked into her eyes turned to stone. She became one of the three Gorgon sisters, but Medusa was the only one who was mortal. The hero Perseus was sent to kill Medusa. With the help of gifts from the gods—including a shiny shield from Athena—he was able to avoid looking directly at her. He used the reflection in his shield to guide his sword and cut off her head.
Caravaggio’s painting captures the moment Medusa is beheaded. Her face shows a mix of shock, pain, and fear. Her mouth is open in a scream, and the snakes are still writhing in her hair. The painting was made to look like a real shield, possibly for a nobleman or a prince. It was meant to show bravery and the triumph of good over evil. Today, Medusa by Caravaggio is kept in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy.
