Perseus and Andromeda c. 18th century

Curator: Here we have Giovanni Volpato’s engraving of Perseus and Andromeda, held here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's intense! All that swirling darkness makes me feel a bit anxious. Andromeda looks so vulnerable, chained there. Curator: Volpato was, of course, working within a strong tradition of depicting this scene from Greek mythology, often emphasizing both the heroism and the spectacle of the rescue. Editor: Mythological tales are always juicy. I wonder what Andromeda was thinking, standing there waiting for the sea monster. Curator: Indeed. It’s fascinating to see how artists like Volpato interpreted these stories, reinforcing certain values and ideals of their own time. Editor: It's amazing how a simple etching can bring to life this story of a hero and a damsel in distress. Curator: Absolutely. And understanding the cultural context of such a depiction gives us so much more to think about. Editor: I'll never look at Perseus and Andromeda the same way again!