PerseusAndromeda1.0038

Joachim Anthonisz Wtewael 1566-1638, "Perseus and Andromeda" (1611), oil on canvas, Paris, Louvre no. R.F. 1982-51.

As commonly depicted in the 17th Century, Perseus approaches the vulnerable Andromeda on a mighty flying Pegasus. The artist's lavish attention to shells (common in still-life motifs) and human bones deliver a sort of memento mori or "death and the maiden" message in this picture.

It may be interesting that Perseus uses stirrups, even though the right-side stirrup seems unattached to the saddle.

Wtewael's drawing of the subect is in the Graphische Sammlung, Albertina, Vienna. (Cf. DeBosque)

The image at right is derived from Lessing Culture and Fine Arts via ArtStor, an image found also at the collections.louvre.fr site.

Bibliography:

Lowenthal, Anne W. Joachim Wtewael and Dutch Mannerism. Doornspijk: Davaco. Pages. no. B-4 with illustration.
de Bosque, Andrée. Mythologie et manierisme aux Pays-Bas, 1570-1630. Antwerp: Fonds Mercator. Page 200, illustration.