Cast of relief showing Perseus and Andromeda

From: Capitoline Museums (Rome)

RA Collection: Art

The cast is of a large marble relief showing Perseus and Andromeda which is now in the Capitoline Museum in Rome. It is an eclectic Roman composition generally dated to the second century AD and seemingly based on sculpted models. The cast was given to the Royal Academy by Charles Townley in 1794.

According to Greek legend, Queen Cassiopeia angered the sea god Poseidon by claiming that she (or in some versions her daughter Andromeda) was more beautiful than the Nereids. As punishment Poseidon sent a sea monster to attack her land. The only way that the monster could be averted was by the chaining of Andromeda to a rock in the sea as a sacrifice. The hero Perseus saw the abandoned Andromeda and came to her rescue. Here he holds out his hand to guide her to safety over the body of the slain monster.

Object details

Title

Cast of relief showing Perseus and Andromeda

From

Capitoline Museums (Rome)

From

Original in Capitoline Museum, Rome

Object type

Cast Sculpture

Medium

Plaster cast

Dimensions

1723 mm

Collection

Royal Academy of Arts

Object number

03/2018

Acquisition

Given by Charles Townley 1794

Keywords

Bas Relief Perseus Andromeda Sandal Wing Hero Rescue Sea Monster Flowing robes Nude Young Woman Young Man Holding Hands Descending

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