Perseus and Andromeda

Giuseppe Cesari

Basic information

ID: Ж-787
Author: Giuseppe Cesari
Name: Perseus and Andromeda
Date of creation: late 16th – early 17th c.
Technique: oil painting
Material: copper oil
Dimensions (height x width, cm): 35 x 26.5

Additionally

Type: painting
Genre: mythological painting
Plot: Perseus and Andromeda
Provenance: Collection of Wladyslaw Lozinski in Lviv
Exposition: Potocki Palace

Information about author

Author: Giuseppe Cesari
Artist's lifetime: 1568–1640
Country: Italy
Biography: The late 16th – early 17th century was a transitional period in the history of Roman painting. The majority of the artists continued to work in the Mannerist style. Although part of their legacy dates back to the first decades of the 17th century, their work should be considered the culmination of the previous century's artistic development. Giuseppe Cesari of Arpino, awarded the honorary title of Knight of the Order of St. Michael, was the most notable artist of that period. Raised on the aesthetics of Federico Zuccari's Mannerism, the artist early developed his style based on the best achievements of High Renaissance art. Giuseppe Cesari gained fame and recognition at a young age, creating monumental and decorative paintings in the Vatican. He headed a large workshop in Rome, where he fulfilled numerous orders. Small-sized elegant paintings on religious and mythological themes, created on a copper plate or board for private customers, occupy a special place in the artist's creative heritage. This style of painting was a novelty for the art market of that time and quickly gained popularity, as evidenced by the numerous repetitions made with the participation of the workshop. In particular, the composition "Perseus and Andromeda" was in great demand.

Object description

The feat of liberating Andromeda glorified the hero of ancient Greek mythology. After defeating Medusa Gorgon, Perseus got on the horse Pegasus, born from the dead Medusa's body, and flew over the sea. Approaching the shore, he saw the charming Andromeda, the daughter of the Aethiopian king Cepheus, chained to a rock. A dragon was approaching her from the depths of the sea. The monster was sent to Aethiopia by Poseidon to take revenge on Queen Cassiopeia, who boasted that she was more beautiful than all the Nereids. Andromeda was sacrificed to atone for her mother's guilt. Impressed by the girl's beauty, Perseus killed the dragon and freed Andromeda. This plot was reproduced in several versions between 1593 and 1612. In most works, Perseus was depicted flying on Pegasus with a sword in his hand, ready to fight the dragon. Only in the Lviv painting is he represented alongside Andromeda after slaying the monster. The Gallery's work can be dated to ca. 1610, given the stylistic comparison. However, it is difficult to determine the degree of participation of Giuseppe Cesari himself in the painting process because, in addition to other representatives of the workshop, who imitated the artist's manner, his brother Bernardino Cesari worked with him.

Legal regulation

Borys Voznytskyi Lviv National Art Gallery

Perseus and Andromeda

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