Perseus and the Gorgons 1893

Walter Crane made this engraving of "Perseus and the Gorgons," illustrating the moment when the hero Perseus beheads Medusa, one of the Gorgon sisters. The serpent-haired Medusa, whose gaze could turn men to stone, represents primal fear and the monstrous feminine, echoing in myths and nightmares across cultures. Observe how Perseus holds Medusa's severed head—a symbol of triumph over chaos—but what does he do with the head? The Gorgon's head reappears throughout history: from the ancient Greeks, who put it on Athena’s shield, to modern uses of it as a symbol of protection, reflecting how we grapple with irrational forces. The motif taps into a deep well of collective memory, reflecting our ongoing struggle to understand and control the darker aspects of our nature. Crane, through this image, revives these archetypes, engaging viewers with the enduring power and evolving interpretations of ancient symbols. The head resurfaces, evolves, and takes on new meanings in different historical contexts.