'The Rescue of Andromeda', Henry C Fehr

Artwork details

Artist

Henry C Fehr (1867‑1940)

Title

The Rescue of Andromeda

Date 1893

MediumBronze

Dimensionsobject: 2743 x 2591 x 2184 mm

Collection

Tate

Acquisition Presented by the Trustees of the Chantrey Bequest 1894

Reference

N01749

Not on display

Summary

This sculpture illustrates the moment when, according to Greek legend, the hero Perseus (the son of Zeus and Danae) saves the beautiful woman Andromeda from being devoured by a sea monster which is plunging across the sea towards her. The Roman poet Ovid describes how Perseus continually strikes down blows until the creature belches out water mixed with purple blood. Fehr presents Perseus, wearing his distinctive headdress made of feathers and winged sandals, triumphantly holding a dagger in his right hand and the severed head of Medusa in his left. The head of the Gorgon, Medusa, had the power to turn anyone or anything into stone the instant they looked directly at it… (read more)