A Trip to The MET: Andromeda and the Sea Monster

A few months ago, I took a trip to NYC and spent a morning at The MET. I will be blogging a six-part series analyzing works that caught my eye and why.

Andromeda and the Sea Monster (Domenico Guidi, Italian, Patron Commissioned by Francesco II, Duke of Mantua and Reggio, Italian, 1694)

This is a marble sculpture from the Baroque period depicting the Greek myth of Andromeda, princess of Ethiopia (daughter of King Cepheus, king of Ethiopia, and Cassiopeia). Within the tale, Cassiopeia angered Poseidon by saying that Andromeda (or Cassiopeia herself) was more beautiful than the sea nymphs. Poseidon sent a sea monster to prey upon the country; he could be appeased only by the sacrifice of the king's daughter. In sacrifice, Andromeda was chained to a rock by the sea and was later rescued by Perseus, who killed the monster and married her. Cassiopeia, Cepheus, and Andromeda were all set among the stars as constellations.

The work is displayed beautifully in the museum; perhaps the natural light radiating off the statue from the ceiling window was what drew me towards it. The detailed elements of the sculpture visually complement one another while telling the story. Guidi lends a soft quality to the figure, contrasting with the harsh rocks that surround her. I remember looking around the section and being continually drawn back to Guidi’s work for his mastery of the medium and his ability to convey so much narrative and emotion.