Fireplace: in the frieze of a Medusa`s head between two swans, flanked by two centaurs in the race, a rich interior wing 

This engraving by Giovanni Battista Piranesi depicts an elaborate fireplace, teeming with symbolic imagery drawn from antiquity. Dominating the frieze is the head of Medusa, flanked by swans and racing centaurs, symbols laden with complex meanings. The Medusa, with her petrifying gaze, serves as an apotropaic symbol, warding off evil. But it is also a charged symbol, linked to feminine power and danger, echoing through centuries from ancient Gorgoneion shields to Renaissance interpretations of beauty and terror. Adjacent, swans, often associated with Apollo and divine grace, introduce a contrasting element of harmony. Consider their recurrence in various forms throughout history, from Leda's myth to heraldic emblems. Finally, the centaurs embody primal passions and the dual nature of humanity. These classical motifs remind us of the cyclical nature of symbols, resurrected and reinterpreted across time. Their emotional and psychological impact remains potent, engaging viewers on a subconscious level, echoing the fears and aspirations of past eras.