Medusa (1911)
Vincenzo Gemito, Italian
“Gemito based his representation of the gorgon Medusa on one of the most famous surviving ancient cameos, the so-called Tazza Farnese. With writhing snakes for hair and a gaze thought to transform men into stone, the mythological monster is rendered partially in gilt silver. The scale motif along the edge of the roundel is copied from the ancient original, but Gemito extended it to the reverse, creating a scaled shell for the relief.”
This icon of the Mother of God is called “The Helper in Childbirth“. The first prototypes of this icon appeared in Western Russia, in the early 19th century. It was made for a very practical and urgent need – the difficulties in conceiving and giving birth.
A variation of the ancient and famous icon of Our Lady of the Sign, this icon differs by showing the Mother of God folding her hands in prayer over her heart, instead of holding them outstretched to the sides. Under the protective arch of her hands, we can see the newly conceived Christ Child, emanating from inside her womb in an almond shaped-halo of light. To show He is the “Logos“, or Word of God incarnate, He holds a small white scroll. She is filled and radiant with light from inside.
(Source: figuadalupe.wordpress.com)
This will probably trigger a few people…
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