When watching the 2010 Hollywood movie "Clash of the Titans", masterworks in the world of art are not the first thing that comes to mind, at least not the visual arts. Yet the story has its roots in a story that has inspired artists for centuries. The story about the daughter of the king of Argos and Eurydice who was foretold that he would be killed by his daughters son and subsequently locked her a tower of bronze.
Here she was visited by Zeus, in the form of a shower of gold, who thus impregnated her, leading to the birth of Perseus. The king threw them both into the ocean in a wooden box, but they were rescued and thus begin the epic movie about the legend of Perseus.
Except that for most artists, the best part of the story is already over. The slaying of medusa, the travel to the underworld, the rescue of Andromeda and such are all well and good, but for the true artist, another part of the story carries much more interest, namely the impregnation of Danae by the shower of gold.
This part, which The Clash of the Titan actually ignores instead placing Zeus human shape in bed with Danae, has been the subject of numerous artistic depictions. From the artists of antiquity to Titus, Rembrandt and Klimt, Danae has been depicted on numerous occasions as she receives the shower of gold. Titus alone painted four versions. But what is it that strikes a chord with artist in this story. What is it that makes it so appealing to portray this particular scene?
There is of course the duality. Did Danae know about the shower of gold and what it would do? Did she enjoy this contact with the god or did she shun it? Was there any love involved? Titus e.g. has Eros included in one of his depictions, while in the work of Klimt, there is little done to hide her sexual ecstasy. Still, we are dealing with forbidden love and feelings, of going against the wishes of her father and of giving herself away. There is a loss of innocence in the scene, of letting go and maybe dealing with the consequences afterwards that many an artist finds fascinating. It is partly an expression of the hooker - Madonna complex as the virgin is turned.
At the same time, there are also strict parallels to another virgin who was impregnated by a god many years later. And while the church certainly did not in the mid-twentieth century allow the graphic depiction of that scene, Danae was still fair game. As such, some depictions of the scene do allude to that other later event, creating a somewhat ambivalent expression.
The re-emergence of interest in the classic arts and legends during the renaissance also contributed. With this re-emergence came the legends and heroes of old. Gustav Klimt also had a well established love for Greek myths and portrayed not only Danae but also Pallas Athene herself.
However, in the end, with all the other legends of Perseus and his exploits taken into accounts, why is it Danae that we see time and time again? Could it be down to the basics of a beautiful young woman, seduced and/or taken by a man she is not supposed to see, and potentially being a willing participant in this act? While other parts of the story deals with the fantastic, the basic principles here are the mainstays of human nature, of love and lust, innocence and betrayal. These immortal characteristics have always driven men and inspired artists and in Danae they found their muse.
Metropolitan Art in Motion: A Cultural Odyssey
The allure of metropolitan areas for art aficionados often lies in the rich tapestry of cultural offerings, particularly the museums that house the world's artistic treasures. These urban centers boast an array of prestigious institutions, each with its own unique collections that beckon visitors from around the globe. From the Tate in London to the Louvre in Paris, the art world's grandeur is on full display. Yet, for those who seek an unparalleled museum experience, New York City stands as a cultural colossus, with the Metropolitan Museum of Art reigning supreme.
Thomas Cole and Titans Goblet
American painter Thomas Cole is best known for his detailed depictions of the American countryside, depicted in accordance with the tenets of Romanticism and Naturalism. As a founder of the Hudson River School, Cole was instrumental in this development and depiction of the American landscape. However, not all landscapes depicted by Cole were based on actual existing locations.
The Vagabond Prince
In the early 20th century, Paris was the center of the Avant-Garde art scene. Here, masters like Picasso and Matisse were practicing their crafts at the leading edge of artistic developments.
