Plaque: Perseus and Andromeda c. 1886

The Wedgwood Manufactory produced this plaque with a gold frame depicting Perseus and Andromeda. It illustrates a classical myth in the Neoclassical style, fashionable in the late 18th century, which drew upon antiquity to express ideals of beauty, order, and civic virtue. The plaque shows Perseus rescuing Andromeda, who has been chained to a rock as a sacrifice to a sea monster. The scene captures a moment of dramatic tension as Perseus swoops down to slay the beast and free Andromeda. In this context, Andromeda becomes more than a figure in a mythological narrative. She transforms into a symbol of female vulnerability and resilience, as her fate hangs in the balance. Perseus represents the heroic ideal, a figure whose strength and courage can alter the destiny of others. The artwork reflects the cultural values of its time, where classical stories were reinterpreted to comment on contemporary social and political issues.