Danae (Artemisia Gentileschi)

Danaë is a painting by the Italian baroque artist Artemisia Gentileschi. It hangs in the Saint Louis Art Museum, United States.[1][2][3]

Danae
Yearc. 1612
Mediumoil paint, copper
Dimensions41.3 cm (16.3 in) × 52.7 cm (20.7 in)
Accession No.93:1986 

Background

Provenance

The first documented appearance of the painting was at the Sotheby's sale in Monaco on 22 February 1986, where it was sold as a work of the artist's father Orazio. The painting was subsequently purchased by the Saint Louis Art Museum on 1 August 1986.[4]

Materials

Unlike most of Artemisia's surviving works, this painting was executed on copper.[5]

Description

Subject Matter

The story of Danaë is recorded in Ovid's Metamorphoses and recounts the plight of the daughter of King Acrisius of Argos. A prophecy led him to believe that his grandchild would lead to his death, and therefore imprisoned his daughter to prevent a potential pregnancy. Zeus overcame this challenge by transforming himself into a shower of gold, entering the room and seducing Danaë. She subsequently bore a son Perseus, who went on to kill his grandfather in his adulthood.

Composition

The figure of Danaë reclines on her bed, while her servant with back turned to her mistress collects gold coins in her skirts. The pose and design are based on Artemisia's earlier version of Cleopatra.[5]

Interpretation

Art historians have debated this portrayal of Danaë, with some noting an open, inviting posture, while others observe the clenched fist and closed legs.[5] Some scholars believe this painting refers directly to the rape the artist endured a few years prior,[3] while others argue that she rather had a sympathy for women victimized by unwelcome sexual pressures.[6]

References
  1. "St Louis Art Museum". Archived from the original on 8 September 2017. Retrieved 12 March 2017.
  2. Christiansen, Keith; Mann, Judith Walker (2001-01-01). Orazio and Artemisia Gentileschi. New York; New Haven: Metropolitan Museum of Art ; Yale University Press. ISBN 1588390063.
  3. Zarucchi, Jeanne Morgan (1998-01-01). "The Gentileschi "Danaë": A Narrative of Rape". Woman's Art Journal. 19 (2): 13–16. doi:10.2307/1358400. JSTOR 1358400.
  4. "Immunity From Seizure: Artemisia" (PDF). The National Gallery, London. The National Gallery, London.
  5. Treves, Letizia (2020). Artemisia. London: The National Gallery Company Ltd.
  6. Garrard, Mary D. (1989). The image of the female hero in Italian baroque art. Princeton University Press.


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