fetishofsilence reblogged
Perseus and Andromeda, 1891, by Frederic Leighton (1830-1896).
This painting depicts the Greek myth of Andromeda. Andromeda was the daughter of the King and Queen of Ethiopia. Her mother made the bold claim that her daughter was more beautiful than any sea nymph. Once hearing this, the sea nymphs called on their father Poseidon to take control of a sea monster, and attack the Ethiopian kingdom. Seeing no alternative, the King and Queen chained their daughter to a rock, sacrificing her.
Heroically, Perseus was flying his famed winged horse Pegasus nearby, and came to save Andromeda by slaying the beast. Perseus and Andromeda then fell in love.
Leighton portrays the moment in which Perseus, seen flying above, shooting arrows at the beast. Andromeda stands helpless and contorted under threat.
