Artwork
Χαρακτήρας από την παράσταση Αισχύλου Προμηθεύς Δεσμώτης, Δεύτερες Δελφικές Εορτές, 1930
Χαρακτήρας από την παράσταση Αισχύλου Προμηθεύς Δεσμώτης, Δεύτερες Δελφικές Εορτές, 1930 is a photography by Elly (Nelly’s) Sougioultzoglou-Seraidari. It dates from 1930 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Organisation of Museums of Visual Arts of Thessaloniki – MOMus. The image captures a stage costume from the 1930 production of Aeschylus’s *Prometheus Bound* performed during the Second Delphic Games.
About this work
This black-and-white photo shows a person dressed in a loose, draped costume standing outdoors.
This black-and-white photo shows a person dressed in a loose, draped costume standing outdoors. They’re holding a staff with a snake wrapped around it and a winged figure on top. The person’s head is covered with a cap, and their feet are bare except for sandals. The background looks like a rocky hillside.
The snake and winged figure are symbols often linked to medicine. This photo was taken during a live performance of a play in 1930.
Check out the Museum of Ethnography to see more artifacts like this.
Overview
The image captures a stage costume from the 1930 production of Aeschylus’s *Prometheus Bound* performed during the Second Delphic Games. Photographed in black and white, the figure is presented outdoors on a rocky slope, embodying the theatrical representation of the mythic scene.
Subject & Meaning
The costume features a loosely draped garment, a capped head, and bare feet with simple sandals. Central to the ensemble is a staff entwined by a serpent and topped with a winged figure, iconography traditionally associated with healing and medicine, reflecting the play’s themes of suffering and redemption.
Technique & Style
The photograph records the texture of the fabric and the sculptural quality of the staff, emphasizing the interplay of light and shadow on the rugged landscape. The stark monochrome palette highlights the contrast between the natural backdrop and the symbolic elements of the costume.
History & Provenance
Created by photographer Elly Sougioultzoglou‑Seraidari in 1930, the image documents a live performance linked to the revival of classical Greek drama during the Delphic Games. The print is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography, where it is preserved as a visual record of early 20th‑century cultural festivals.
Context
The Second Delphic Games, organized to promote Hellenic cultural heritage, featured theatrical presentations of ancient tragedies. This production of *Prometheus Bound* exemplified the era’s interest in reconnecting contemporary audiences with classical narratives through authentic stagecraft and symbolic costuming.
Artist & collection
Artist
Elly (Nelly’s) Sougioultzoglou-Seraidari
Elly Sougioultzoglou-Seraidari (1899–1998) was an artist.
Museum
Metropolitan Organisation of Museums of Visual Arts of Thessaloniki – MOMus
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