The myth of Perseus and Medusa

Any visit to Italy must include the beautiful city of Florence. And once in the city, everyone naturally gravitates to the centre of town – the historic Piazza della Signoria. Brimming with artwork, this is a treasure trove for art enthusiasts.

Centuries ago, Florence was the centre of a renaissance sweeping through the Roman empire. Talented artists went out of their way to outdo the other with some of the paintings and sculptures that, centuries later, still leave visitors awestruck. Some of these greats, including Michelangelo, Brunelleschi, Alberti, Donatello and Ghiberti, went about not just transforming the city with their talent, but putting it on the map for posterity.

Cut to a few years ago in the last decade. I was dashing across with a bus full of first time travellers through continental Europe. Florence in Italy was part of our itinerary. Now, I’ll be honest, art and culture aren’t my favourite bits on any tour, unless I am forced to. But it’s not every day that one gets to visit these parts of the world. So, while there was no pressure whatsoever, I followed the group, exploring the city, one statue after another.

Sure, everyone has heard of Michelangelo’s famous sculpture – David. Chances are that most visitors to the piazza naturally gravitate to admire him in all his natural wonderful glory. However, look beyond and there is another artwork that is equally striking and a must see when you visit the city – the Statue of Perseus by Benvenuto Cellini.

This beautiful bronze statue, green with age, is in the Loggia dei Lanzi of the Piazza della Signoria. Inspired by Greek mythology, it depicts Perseus standing naked and triumphant, with the decapitated head of Medusa and her tangle of snakes in his hand, and her body under his feet.

While this mythological story may be open to interpretation today, the story goes that Medusa was a human being. In a fit of passion and rage, Poseidon defiled her in Athena’s temple. The goddess, upon hearing it, immediately punished Medusa by turning her into a monstrous being with snakes for hair and promptly banished her. Those who as much as stole a glance at her face were immediately turned to stone.

Tasked with bringing her head, Perseus set forth, armed with a mirrored shield, winged sandals and a special sack for her head. He crept up on Medusa while she slept and proceeded to cut her head off. On his way back, he used her head, which still retained its ability, as a weapon until he met up with Athena and handed it to her so she could place it on her shield.

Interestingly, this statue has stood on this very ground continuously since 1544, except for a three-week restoration sometime in 2013. To protect the statue, it may have also been moved to a safe home during the second World War.

A sight to behold, Perseus with Medusa’s head continues to turn heads in Florence, all these centuries later.

Like what you are reading? Why not read more on Michelangelo. His genius left us some of history’s greatest paintings and sculptures scattered all over Italy. But could he have indulged in a bit of vandalism on the side? Read more here.