Art Horror

Abstract The snake-haired Gorgons whose looks turn men to stone are among the best-known monsters of classical antiquity, and the Gorgon’s face is among the commonest motifs in ancient art, from rooftops to drinking-cups. The mortal sister Medusa is literally objectified when the hero Perseus, with divine help, cuts off and steals her head: as their story expands over centuries, more image-making motifs are added. In both art and poetry, the bestial Gorgon becomes more maidenly and often sympathetic. After antiquity, Medusa is reimagined for many purposes: among twentieth-century theorists she gains prominence as a psychological symbol and feminist icon. After equally varied interpretations in the creative arts, contemporary popular media has made the Gorgon a canonical monster-type, usually as a femme fatale.