Medea 1800 - 1803

Pietro de Angelis rendered this ink drawing of Medea, a figure steeped in classical myth, during the late 18th or early 19th century. Look closely at the cauldron, around which snakes writhe and demons fly, and the Egyptian motifs in the background; these are visual devices intended to evoke a sense of arcane knowledge. Such symbols are not isolated to this drawing; the image of the witch with her cauldron appears throughout history, from ancient folklore to Shakespeare’s Macbeth. The snake has long been a complex symbol, representing both healing and destruction. In the Garden of Eden, it is an agent of chaos, while in medicine, it is a symbol of rejuvenation. Its constant shedding of skin signifies a cyclical process of rebirth and transformation. Observe how De Angelis has summoned these images, revealing the persistent and potent nature of these cultural symbols. They tap into our collective psyche, resurfacing across time to engage us on a subconscious level.