Gift of Atherton and Winifred W. Bean
- Review the story of Perseus and Medusa.
Where do you see Perseus in this bronze sculpture?
The hand holding the head of Medusa is Perseus's hand.
Where do you see snakes?
Medusa's hair, above Perseus's hand.
According to the story, what would happen if you saw this scene in real life?
You would turn to stone!
- This bronze sculpture had a special purpose.
Can you tell what it was used for?
A door knocker.
Where is the handle?
Two braids extending from Medusa's ears loop down under her head to form the handle.
What part of this sculpture is the knocker?
Medusa's head knocks against the circle behind it.
How can you tell?
The handle is attached to the head.
- According to the original story of Perseus and Medusa, Medusa was so grotesquely ugly that anyone who looked at her would turn to
stone. 4th-century B.C. revisions of the story cast Medusa as a beautiful young woman. Which version of the story do you think this
20th century artist was influenced by? What do you see that makes you say that?