From:Williamson Art Gallery and Museum
Name/TitleMedea
About this objectEvelyn de Morgan was a late nineteenth and early twentieth British painter known for her associations with the Aesthetic Movement and the Pre-Raphaelites. Her works often used mythical narrative as a way of exploring the socio-political issues of her time, with Medea being no exception.
This painting depicts the narrative of Medea, the wife of Jason in Greek myth. Marrying Jason after helping him steal the golden fleece from her father, Medea was later betrayed by her husband when he left her for the princess of Corinth. In an act of revenge, Medea murders Jason's new lover as well as her own sons. Medea is often depicted as villainous in Greek myth and the art and literature that it inspires. De Morgan, however, portrays her heroine in a sympathetic light. Medea here is an individual afflicted by tragedy, rather than a stone-hearted sorceress
Makerde Morgan, Evelyn (1855-1919)
Maker Roledraughtsman & painter
Date Made1889
Period19th century
Medium and Materialsmedium: oil
support: canvas
Style and IconographyPre-Raphaelite
Style and IconographyPortrait
Techniqueoil on canvas
MeasurementsImage: height: 148 cm, width: 88 cm
Frame: height: 170cm, width: 108cm, depth: 5cm
Subject and Association Keywordsmythology
Subject and Association Keywordsmyth
Subject and Association Keywordspoison
Subject and Association KeywordsMedea
Subject and Association Keywordsbird
Subject and Association Keywordsdress
Subject and Association Keywordsmarble
Subject and Association Keywordsdove
Credit LinePurchased from Boydell New Galleries, 1925
Object Typepainting
Object numberBIKGM.1174
Copyright LicenceAll rights reserved
