Door knocker in the form of Medusa’s head 1925

Emile-Antoine Bourdelle made this bronze door knocker in the form of Medusa’s head. I can imagine Bourdelle working on this sculpture, pushing and prodding the clay to create a writhing mass of snakes. The snaky textures are incredible, aren’t they? There’s something so visceral about the way the snakes seem to twist and writhe. I wonder what Bourdelle was thinking about as he sculpted? Perhaps he was drawn to the drama, the horror, and the seduction of the Medusa myth. Medusa's gaze could turn people into stone, but here the cool bronze captures her mid-scream, allowing you to look and contemplate. The way the metal catches the light emphasizes the tension and drama. It's a timeless image, Medusa’s head, and so many artists have had their own say. There’s a conversation that’s been going on for centuries through paintings and sculptures like this one.