Italy: Head of Medusa in white marble, by Gian Lorenzo Bernini (1598-1680), 1630. In Greek mythology Medusa (Greek: Μέδουσα, 'guardian, protectress') was a Gorgon, a chthonic monster, and a daughter of Phorcys and Ceto. Gazing directly upon her would turn onlookers to stone. She was beheaded by the hero Perseus, who thereafter used her head as a weapon until he gave it to the goddess Athena to place on her shield. In classical antiquity the image of the head of Medusa appeared in the evil-averting device known as the Gorgoneion.

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Size: 3800px × 4724px
Photo credit: © Pictures From History / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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