Perseus receiving the mirror from Athena; sheathing his sword after striking off the head of Medusa. In background is Pegasus on Mount Helicon, and under his hoof the Hippocrene is gushing forth. (Fol. k viii verso) 1499

Editor: This anonymous print depicts Perseus's victory over Medusa, with Athena offering him a mirror and Pegasus in the background. It feels like a celebration of patriarchal power, but also prompts me to question the narrative of female monsters and male heroism. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see a complex intersection of power, gender, and representation. The male gaze dominates, framing Medusa's decapitation as a triumph, while silencing her story. How does this image reinforce or challenge societal norms about women's bodies and agency, even today? Editor: That's a good point. I hadn't considered how the image perpetuates a specific viewpoint and silences other narratives. Curator: Exactly! It invites us to critically examine the artwork's role in shaping our understanding of history and cultural values. Editor: It really makes you think about whose story is being told and whose is being left out. Thanks for helping me understand this piece on a deeper level.