Perseus fighting Medusa at The Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, Copenhagen

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This is a life-sized marble sculpture depicting Perseus and Medusa in an epic struggle for dominance, crafted by the skilled hands of Laurent Honoré Marquete (1875-1903) and permanently showcased at the Glyptothek in Copenhagen. The artwork vividly captures the moment when Perseus seizes victory over the fearsome Gorgon, Medusa; Perseus fell deeply in love with Danaë as he grew up, but Polydectes had other plans for her, plotting to send Perseus away in shame. He hosted a grand banquet where each guest was expected to bring a gift, cleverly requesting horses under the guise of collecting donations for Hippodamia, "tamer of horses". Unbeknownst to Perseus, Polydectes had ulterior motives, seeking the head of Medusa, a mortal Gorgon whose gaze could turn people to stone. According to Ovid's account, Medusa was once a woman who lay with Poseidon in Athena's temple, violating its sanctity. As punishment, Athena transformed her hair into snakes that would strike fear into the hearts of those who dared oppose her. Perseus sought out the Graeae, three ancient sisters of the Gorgons, to learn the location of the Hesperides, nymphs who tended Hera's orchard. The Graeae shared a single eye among them, and Perseus cleverly seized it from them in exchange for their guidance. From there, he retrieved a knapsack to safely contain Medusa's head, an adamantine sword from Zeus, and Hades' helm of darkness to conceal himself. Athena gifted him a polished shield, while Hermes provided winged sandals to aid his flight. Perseus then descended upon the Gorgons' cave, where he encountered the sleeping Medusa. By gazing at her reflection in his shield, he safely approached and beheaded her. From her neck sprang Pegasus and Chrysaor, the offspring of Poseidon and Medusa's encounter. The other two Gorgons gave chase, but Perseus evaded them with his helm of darkness. He next visited Atlas, king of Mauretania, who had refused him hospitality; in revenge, Perseus turned him to stone, leaving behind a lasting testament to his wrath. This magnificent sculpture is part of the "Scan The World" initiative, a community-driven project aiming to create a digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures and artworks from around the globe for public access. If you have an interesting item you'd like to contribute, email stw@myminifactory.com to find out how you can help.