Medusa (c.1597) by Caravaggio

Medusa - Caravaggio - c.1597

Artwork Information

TitleMedusa
ArtistCaravaggio
Datec.1597
Mediumoil,canvas
Dimensions60 x 55 cm
Art MovementBaroque,Tenebrism
Current LocationUffizi Gallery, Florence, Italy

About Medusa

The artwork titled “Medusa,” created by the renowned artist Caravaggio around circa 1597, is an exemplary piece of Baroque and Tenebrism art. Executed in oil on canvas, this mythological painting measures 60 by 55 centimeters and is housed in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy.

This striking artwork vividly depicts the mythological figure Medusa, whose hair is composed of writhing serpents, capturing the dramatic moment of her decapitation. Her face, frozen in a contorted expression of horror and pain, is rendered with remarkable realism and emotional intensity. The use of tenebrism, characterized by stark contrasts between light and dark, accentuates the dramatic and menacing aura of the subject. The dark background further isolates Medusa’s anguished visage, directing the viewer’s attention unerringly to the raw emotional power conveyed through her lifelike expression. The intricate details of the serpents and the visceral impact of the decapitation underscore Caravaggio’s mastery in evoking profound psychological and emotional responses through his art.

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