Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones, Bt

Atlas Turned to Stone; The Rock of Doom and the Doom Fulfilled; The Court of Phineas; The Baleful Head

1875–6

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Artist: Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones, Bt 1833–1898
Part of: Designs for ‘The Story of Perseus’
Medium: Gouache, gold paint, graphite and chalk on paper
Dimensions: Support: 367 × 1487 mm
Collection: Tate
Acquisition: Presented by the Trustees of the Chantrey Bequest 1919
Reference: N03458

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During his flight, Perseus uses Medusa's head to turn Atlas to stone after the giant refuses him hospitality. In the next incident (which Burne-Jones later divided into two scenes) Perseus discovers the naked Andromeda bound to a rock as a sacrifice to appease the sea-god Poseidon. After destroying the sea-monster, he bears Andromeda to the court of her father, who offers his daughter in marriage. The wedding feast is interrupted by Phineus, another of Andromeda's suitors, but he and his followers are also turned to stone by Perseus. Finally, Perseus shows Andromeda the reflection of Medusa's head as a means of convincing her of his own divinity, and thereby wins her love.

Gallery label, June 1993

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