Wide-rimmed bowl with Perseus and Andromeda 1517 - 1530

This wide-rimmed bowl with Perseus and Andromeda was made anonymously, and its exact date is unknown. In this intriguing piece, classical mythology is presented in a manner that subtly reflects its cultural context. The image creates meaning through visual codes; the heroic figure of Perseus rescuing the vulnerable Andromeda. The country and time in which it was made is unknown, yet we see a self-conscious nod to classical narratives, suggesting a society valuing intellectual tradition. The geography depicted seems idyllic and the heroic narrative is conservative, reinforcing established social roles. To fully understand this artwork, resources like historical texts, mythological studies, and social histories could be consulted. The bowl's meaning is contingent on the cultural and institutional contexts that shaped its creation and reception.