“Perseus Freeing Andromeda” is an oil on canvas painting created by Paolo Veronese between 1576 and 1578. This artwork, categorized under the Mannerism (Late Renaissance) movement, measures 260 by 211 centimeters and is a mythological painting. It is currently housed in the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Rennes in Rennes, France.
The artwork depicts a dramatic scene from Greek mythology. Perseus, clad in flowing garments, is depicted descending with a raised sword, ready to battle the sea monster below. The monster, with its gaping mouth and threatening demeanor, adds to the tension and urgency of the composition. Andromeda, bound to a rock and partially draped, gazes towards her rescuer with a gesture that suggests both fear and hope. The backdrop features a coastal landscape with an ancient city, under a sky that transitions from serene to stormy, enhancing the epic nature of the scene. The use of light and shadow, characteristic of Veronese’s mastery, accentuates the emotional intensity and dynamism of this mythological moment.
