Classical Greek mythology is conveyed to the world through its rich culture and legend artworks, dating back to a hundred years ago. Greek goddess paintings and Greek Renaissance paintings are all contemporary art styles created by great artists who have left us a legacy to hold.
Today, the Greek myths and legendary or legend artworks have a strong influence on Greek culture that continues to inspire many young artists all over the world. From Pandora’s box, Midas touches on oil-on-canvas to the raging fury of Achilles, Greek mythology has had an inescapable collection of paintings that are a sheer delight to be celebrated.
The segment below describes the legend artworks by renowned artists of all time that served Greek mythology’s art and culture. The grasp of these paintings will take you a step closer to the real meaning of art, especially Greek myths and legends inspired by this.
Perseus Freeing Andromeda by Peter Paul Rubens
Peter Paul Rubens was a Flemish artist who painted Perseus Freeing Amanda in 1622. The painting portrays the Greek mythological hero Perseus who is in the act of freeing Andromeda from a gigantic sea monster that captured Andromeda as a prisoner.
It is visible in the painting that Perseus is wearing a helmet, cloak, and cuirass, sided by two buttons. They are the ones helping him in need of the hour by removing ropes that hold Andromeda to the rock. Also, on the left side of the painting, you will see two buttons are playing with Pegasus, who is Persues winged horse.
The Birth of Venus by Sandro Botticelli
Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus dates back to the 1480s, regarded as a great work of classical antiquity. It is one of the most famous paintings in the world which represent Italian Renaissance art. The Greek goddess painting consists of a depiction of Venus arriving at the shore after her birth from the sea fully grown.
The painting has been analyzed by many art scholars with three main themes, which highlight the influence of Renaissance Neoplatonism, the identity of commissioners and the emulation of ancient painters, and the context of wedding celebrations. Such paintings are famous because they keep Greek mythology breathing with a legacy carried forward with pride and dignity.
The Fury of Achilles by Charles Antonie Copy
The Fury of Achilles was painted by Charles in the year 1737 seeking inspiration from Homer Iliad, having assumed a human form that supports Achilles when he rushes towards the Trojans. However, the foreground of the painting depicts his brother Simoeis and the god of the river, Scamander, who are legit enemies of Achilles.
The sky goddess, Hera, sent Hephaestus with torches to aid Achilles during this furious battle. In this Copyle artwork, Achilles is visualized with bloodthirst in his eyes and is standing on someone’s body he has already murdered, looking for his next prey.
Also, through this painting, one can notice that only Athena, a female, is fully dressed. This highlights that 16th-century art was more concrete for male viewers, and women were considered passive and powerless. This is why female eyes were usually downcast, arms were close to their body, and had averted contact.
Ulysses and the Sirens 1891 by John William Waterhouse
Waterhouse painted the iconic piece of royalty, Ulysses and the Sirens, in 1891, depicting a scene from Homer’s age-old famous literature piece Odyssey. The scene on the painting portrays the part in which Ulysses has been strapped to the ship’s mast. It’s an attempt to pass the Strait of Messina.
The sirens served not only as obstacles for Ulysses and his crew, but the Strait of Messina also had two terrible monsters. Scylla and Charybdis that too on each side. It was then the sailor’s responsibility to maintain their ship in the correct position and try not to approach either side of the body of water.
As the myth continues, the protagonist puts wax in his ears and is determined not to fall into the enchanting music of the sirens, who are the dangerous large bird-like creatures with heads just like women.
Significance of Greek Mythology and Its Paintings- Legend Artworks
Greek artworks showcase a clear image of ancient Greece, the people of that time, their culture, their heritage, and everything that occurred in the past. In addition, the colorful stories and depictions of art and literature tend to show a perspective of historic Greek mythology.
Greek artwork explains it all, from religious practices to monstrous activities and bright decorations to shady practices. Of course, Greek mythology values goddesses above all, but it can be interpreted that women typically were not given many rights through their paintings. Instead, their positions were secondary to men and were bait to malevolent monsters and powerless victims.
Greek art also has an elite approach towards its characters and stories. The paintings depict an ever-grand royalty to be seen, and making these paintings back then with no modern resources and tools is something that the generation today should be proud of and get inspiration from.
If you are fascinated by the culture of Greece and admire Greek mythology paintings, then the paintings mentioned above are just the perfect picks for you. And you can easily get one for yourself at the 1st Art Gallery.
