Rondanini Type Medusa, Modern, on a Trapezophoros with a Lion’s Head

Medusa, the only one of the three Gorgon sisters to be mortal, was killed by Perseus, who beheaded her, causing the birth of the horse Pegasus. The moment after the killing of the Gorgon represents a widespread iconographic model in the History of Art, such as the Perseus by Benvenuto Cellini or The Shield with the Head of Medusa by Caravaggio, depicted with hair composed of snakes according to Ovid's description. There are few replicas of sculptures depicting Medusa; this Torlonia specimen appears very similar to the Medusa on a trapezophoros with a griffin head but compared to the previous one it has a cold and academic treatment, for this reason it can be considered a modern copy.
The trapezophoros with lion's head on which the portrait rests is ancient and not relevant to the work.

Inventory: MT 296; Rondanini Type Medusa on a Trapezophoros with a Gryphon’s Head MT 294

Technique: Work sculpted through the use of: chisels (also square-tipped and toothed) rasps

Material: White marble

Provenience: Giustiniani Collection