- Museum number
- 1873,0820.352
- Description
-
Pottery: red-figured hydria (water-jar).
Perseus fleeing after cutting off Medusa's head. In the centre Medusa, a winged, headless figure in a short tied bordered chiton with sleeves, has fallen to the left, but supports herself on her rigid arms, resting only on the finger-tips, the blood flowing in a broad stream from the wound. On the left, Perseus flees to left, both arms extended in front of him, and looking round at Medusa; he wears a chiton like that of Medusa, the winged hat (κυνή Αίδον) and talaria; at his side there hangs from his left shoulder the wallet (kibisis), in which the upper part of the Gorgoneion is visible, en face (with closed eyes, black hair around the forehead, and outside this a broad strip forming a sort of frame, shaded brownish); in his left hand is the harpe, sickle-shaped, the edge jagged, the handle ending in a spiral; his long hair is looped up over his ears. On the right of Medusa, Athene runs to the left, carrying a very long spear over her right shoulder, and with her left hand raising the edge of her skirt; she wears a long undertied sleeved chiton, which has no folds, but a pattern of Vs, dotted aegis fringed with snakes, and a tall crested helmet; her long hair floats back, the ends drawn in thinned black.
Advanced stage of severe style. Purple blood. Brown inner markings, upper folds of Medusa's chiton, and pinion feathers of her wings; on the upper part of Perseus' chiton no folds are visible. Eye in transition type (disc close to inner angle, which is opened). The design is principally on the shoulder, and comes very little below the level of the side handles; below it, a strip of sets of three maeanders separated by red cross squares. Round the lip, egg pattern.
- Production date
- 460BC (circa)
- Dimensions
-
Height: 34.29 centimetres
- Location
- On display (G20a/dc23)
- Exhibition history
-
Exhibited:
'Olympic Vagaries: The Myth of Athena, Marsyas and Apollo', Städtische Galerie Liebieghaus, Frankfurt, 13.05.08-21.09.08
2011 June-October Ulsan Museum, Ulsan, South Korea, 'Fantastic Creatures'.
2012, January-April, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong, 'Fantastic Creatures'
- Acquisition date
- 1873
- Department
- Greek and Roman
- Registration number
- 1873,0820.352
