Perseus and the Sea Nymphs 1877

"Perseus and the Sea Nymphs" (1877) by Edward Burne-Jones is a Pre-Raphaelite painting that depicts a scene from Greek mythology. Perseus, the hero who slew Medusa, is shown standing on a beach, holding Medusa's head, while three sea nymphs watch in awe and fear. The painting's dreamy, ethereal atmosphere, characteristic of Burne-Jones's style, is achieved through the use of soft, muted colors and the depiction of the nymphs in flowing, diaphanous robes. The scene is set against a backdrop of stylized, rocky cliffs, and the water laps at the edge of the beach. The artwork's central figure, Perseus, is depicted in heroic armor, but his expression is hesitant, almost pained, highlighting the psychological impact of his act. The artwork is currently housed at the Southampton City Art Gallery in Southampton, UK.