Who painted Perseus and Andromeda?

Perseus and Andromeda was painted by Bartolommeo Gagliardo in 1590.

Where can I see Perseus and Andromeda?

Perseus and Andromeda is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Perseus and Andromeda?

Perseus and Andromeda is associated with Renaissance.

Artwork

Perseus and Andromeda

Bartolommeo Gagliardo , 1590

Perseus and Andromeda is a chalk drawing by the Renaissance artist Bartolommeo Gagliardo. It dates from 1590 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Bartolommeo Gagliardo’s drawing titled Perseus and Andromeda, executed in 1590, depicts a moment from the classical myth on laid paper. The work combines pen, brown ink, and a brown wash applied over initial black chalk sketches, presenting a dynamic narrative scene in a compact format.

Subject & Meaning

The composition centers on Andromeda, rendered nude and bound to a rock, her profile turned downward and to the right, suggesting resignation or contemplation. In the distance, Perseus rides a winged horse, poised to confront the sea monster that threatens her, encapsulating the rescue motif of the legend.

Technique & Style

Gagliardo employs swift, expressive lines that convey motion, while the brown wash adds tonal depth to the figures and background. Residual black chalk marks remain visible, indicating an underlying drawing stage and revealing the artist’s process of building the image through layered media.

History & Provenance

Created at the close of the sixteenth century, the drawing reflects the period’s interest in mythological subjects rendered for private study or collection. It is attributed to Gagliardo, an Italian artist active during the Renaissance, though specific ownership records prior to its current location are not documented.