March 28, 2021 / Spotlight on Art
Medusa by
Erica Arcudi
Part of the research for my painting included looking through her past representations. I began with Ancient Greek vase painting, which depicted Medusa as terrifying and monstrous. The Temple of Artemis’ pedimental sculpture in Corfu used her image as a protective element. Over a thousand years later, artists continued to be taken with Medusa.
Erica Arcudi, "Medusa", Oil on canvas, 76,2 x 101,6 cm, 30 x 40 in. 2020
“Medusa is a personal project I created while working from home under the quarantine restrictions in North Carolina. Since taking Latin in sixth grade, I fell in love with everything ancient and Classical. I earned my bachelor’s degree in Classical Archaeology, as I particularly enjoyed learning about ancient Mediterranean cultures through their fascinating art and architecture. In my second year at The Florence Academy of Art, I drew Medusa as my first charcoal and white chalk cast, taken from Canova’s Perseus with Head of Medusa. Like so many before me, I have personally found her to be an intriguing mythological figure.
The goddess Athena cursed Medusa so that her hair was turned to snakes and anyone who looked at her turned to stone. Slain by Perseus, Medusa’s story ends tragically. Her image though retains power.
Erica Arcudi “Medusa” set up
Part of the research for my painting included looking through her past representations. I began with Ancient Greek vase painting, which depicted Medusa as terrifying and monstrous. The Temple of Artemis’ pedimental sculpture in Corfu used her image as a protective element.
Over a thousand years later, artists continued to be taken with Medusa, applying a variety of psychological interpretations to her story, my favorites being Caravaggio’s fierce Medusa shield, Bernini’s doleful marble bust, and Sartorio’s graceful pastel study of La Gorgone e gli Eroi. Seeing such a variety of interpretations inspired me to apply my own lens to her story.
Detail of “Medusa”
Detail of “Medusa”
Committed to painting from life, I created my set up by angling two mirrors next to a bedroom window.
Medusa’s snakes are clearly part of her myth and identity, but I did not want to paint them as her dominant feature. Instead, I aspired to portray her humanity and resilience.
I finished the painting with more ideas than when I started and felt inspired to delve deeper into the mythology and psychology of Medusa.”
– Erica Arcudi
More about Erica Arcudi
After graduating from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill with a degree in the Classical Archaeology in 2014, Erica traveled to Florence, Italy to learn the craft of traditional drawing and oil painting at the Florence Academy of Art. After graduating in 2017, she joined the academy’s faculty as a Principal Instructor of the Six Week Intensive workshops. When Erica is not teaching, she is painting in her private studio. Always working from life, she aspires to convey the spirit of her subjects through the textural beauty inherent in the materials she uses.
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One of the other great things about painting still life is that is humble and forgiving. You can set up a still life anywhere. It can be as simple or complex as you want.
