Artwork
Andromeda Chained to the Rock
Andromeda Chained to the Rock is a photography by the Romanticist artist Unknown. It dates from 1847 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst. Created in 1847 by the artist known as 817_person, this oil painting portrays the mythological figure Andromeda bound to a rock.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1847 by the artist known as 817_person, this oil painting portrays the mythological figure Andromeda bound to a rock. The work is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography, where it is displayed among other 19th‑century pieces.
Subject & Meaning
The canvas presents a nude Andromeda with long hair cascading down her back, her wrists shackled and her arms folded across her lap. Her facial expression conveys resignation and melancholy, suggesting the sorrow of her enforced captivity while her relaxed posture hints at an inner stoicism.
Technique & Style
Employing strong chiaroscuro, the artist contrasts illuminated flesh against a dark, cloud‑filled sky and a distant sea, creating depth and dramatic focus on the figure. The pronounced light on the body accentuates the contours of the form and underscores the emotional tone of the scene.
History & Provenance
The painting entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings after its creation in the mid‑19th century, though specific acquisition details remain undocumented. It has remained in the museum’s permanent collection, serving as a representative example of mythological subject matter in that era’s European art.
Artist & collection
Domestic Scene
Giacomo and Cardinal Marco, investing Andrea, Abbot of San Zeno, with his Benefice
The Nymph of Fontainebleau
Portrait of a Woman
Madonna and Child with Saints in the Enclosed Garden
Venus and Minerva
Family Group of Four on Sofa
Wall painting from Room H of the Villa of P. Fannius Synistor at Boscoreale
