The artwork, titled “Perseus and Andromeda,” was created by the renowned artist Frederic Leighton in the year 1891 in the United Kingdom. Rendered in oil on canvas, this piece is a quintessential example of the Academicism movement. Measuring 16 x 28.7 cm, it is a mythological painting that showcases Leighton’s masterful technique and classical subject matter.
The artwork depicts a dramatic scene from Greek mythology. Andromeda, partially draped in white fabric, is portrayed in a moment of vulnerability as she is chained to a rocky precipice. The monstrous sea creature menaces her from the shadows below, its form menacing and grotesque. Above the scene, the figure of Perseus, mounted on the winged horse Pegasus, descends from a radiant light, poised to rescue Andromeda. The composition is both dynamic and emotive, capturing the tension of the mythological narrative with rich detail and dramatic lighting. The reddish and dark hues of the rocky surroundings contrast strikingly with the bright, ethereal glow emanating from the sky, highlighting the divine intervention in this perilous moment.
