Focus painting

November Focus: Sculpture

This is the largest mythological painting in the National Gallery, and may have been one of the most quickly painted. Giordano employs his skill to tell the tale of Perseus and Phineus from Ovid’s 'Metamorphoses'.

Luca Giordano, 'Perseus turning Phineas and his Followers to Stone', early 1680s 

Perseus' marriage celebrations to Andromeda are violently interrupted by her previous suitor, Phineus, and his followers. Phineus’ attempt to kill his rival fails as Perseus outwits him, holding up the snake-haired head of the Gorgon Medusa, which turns all who look at it to stone.

Tables are overturned as the guests flee in horror and the limbs of the soldiers turn grey before our eyes, their movements frozen as though they were antique sculptures.

Perseus turning Phineas and his Followers to Stone

Luca Giordano

early 1680s