Behind every drawing there is a story

  **Medusa** The name Medusa most likely comes from the ancient Greek word meaning "guardian." She is one of the three sisters known as the Gorgons, daughters of the sea deities Phorcys and Ceto, and sisters to the Graeae. All of Medusa's sisters were born as monsters, except for her, but unfortunately, she became the ugliest among them. Since then, like her Gorgon sisters, Euryale and Stheno, Medusa has been depicted as a creature with bronze hands and golden wings. Poets claimed she had large tusks like a boar's and a tongue hanging between her sharp teeth, with twisted snakes filling her head instead of hair. Her face was hideous, and her gaze was so piercing that a single look could turn any man to stone. However, it wasn't always this way. Medusa was the only mortal among her Gorgon sisters and was distinguished by her beautiful face. The poet Ovid praised her hair in particular, saying it was "the most wonderful of all her charms." It seems that th...

The painting titled "Caligula Relishing the Worship of His People" by artist Émile Lévy portrays the infamous Roman Emperor Caligula, known for his corrupt and controversial reign. Caligula ruled from 37 to 41 AD and is infamous for his erratic behavior and despotic decisions. Historical accounts describe his unstable conduct, including extravagant spending, brutal treatment of his opponents, and attempts to present himself as a deity to his people. He even ordered statues of himself to be placed in temples and sought to be worshipped as a god, provoking the resentment of the Roman Senate and citizens alike.

"A Cherished Visit" is a painting from 1894 by Austrian artist Maximilian Kurzweil, depicting an intimate scene of a young soldier in a hospital surrounded by his fellow Austrian dragoons. The visitor appears to be his warhorse, a touching detail that leaves a lasting impression. When World War I broke out, Kurzweil returned to military service despite being older than the usual age for commanding combat units. As a war artist, he served on the mountainous Serbian front. In May 1916, he returned to Vienna and reunited with his beloved, Helene Heger, in his studio. There, they entered into a tragic suicide pact, using his pistol. Their final meeting in Vienna, amidst the pressures of war and an uncertain future, likely left them feeling hopeless and despondent. Under

The sculpture "La Pudicizia" or "Modesty" (also known as "The Veiled Truth") is a remarkable masterpiece by Italian artist Antonio Corradini, completed in 1752 during the Rococo period. The work symbolizes chastity or purity by depicting a woman draped in a transparent veil that clings to her body, revealing intricate details without fully exposing them. The veil is a signature element of Corradini’s artistry, showcasing his exceptional skill in sculpting translucent fabrics with striking realism.

The painting "The Vision of the White Horse" by French-British artist Philip James de Loutherbourg is a powerful artwork that embodies apocalyptic visions through a striking depiction inspired by the Book of Revelation. The religious texts describe the opening of the Seven Seals, specifically the first seal. Upon its opening, a white horse appears, ridden by a horseman holding a bow and granted a crown, who sets out to conquer the world. The white horse often symbolizes victory or conquest, while the rider represents a force destined to bring either peace or destruction, depending on various religious interpretations.

The painting "Vertumnus and Pomona" by Renaissance artist Francesco Melzi is based on a story from Roman mythology. The tale narrates the love of the god Vertumnus, who represents the changing seasons and natural transformations, for the beautiful maiden Pomona, the goddess of orchards and fruit. The Story: Pomona was entirely devoted to tending her orchards, rejecting any attention from men or gods, as she preferred solitude and working the land. However, Vertumnus loved her deeply, knowing she would reject him as she had rejected others. To win her heart, he resorted to a clever disguise: he transformed into an elderly woman and approached her. He spoke kindly, praising her beauty and her dedication to her orchards, and began telling her about the dangers of rejecting love and the opportunities for happiness that might be missed.

This painting depicts Clio, one of the nine Muses in Greek mythology. The Muses are the daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne (the goddess of memory) and represent inspiration in arts and literature. Clio is the Muse of history and is often portrayed with symbols reflecting her role as the keeper of history, such as scrolls or tablets representing writing and record-keeping. This painting was created in 1800 by the French artist Charles Meynier.

The sculpture "The Virgin and Child" carved by the Italian sculptor Pietro Canonica in 1918 showcases his remarkable ability to blend realism with spiritual expression. In this artwork, the focus on detail is evident, from the folds of the clothing to the facial expressions, reflecting his artistic precision and influence from classical art and the Renaissance.

The tomb of Giuliano de' Medici is one of the timeless masterpieces created by Michelangelo in Florence, with a replica housed in the Pushkin Museum in Moscow. The tomb portrays Giuliano de' Medici with features exuding strength and serenity, depicted seated on a throne. Surrounding him are statues representing Night and Day, symbolizing the cycle of life and the passage of time. The subtle contrast between expressions of power and gentleness gives the work a philosophical depth, captivating all who encounter it.

This painting is known as "Allegory of Peace and War" by the Italian artist Pompeo Batoni, painted in the 18th century. The artist personifies peace as a feminine, gentle, and delicate figure, while war is depicted as a strong male figure. The interaction between the two characters seems to aim at illustrating the complex relationship between peace and war. The figure of peace attempts to dissuade war from conflict, holding his hand in a way that conveys her desire to guide him towards calmness. Meanwhile, the figure of war does not adopt a hostile stance towards the woman representing peace. Instead, he holds the shield in a manner that appears to protect her. This detail suggests a profound symbolism, portraying a balance between war and peace, as though war is willing to safeguard peace despite its strength and impulsiveness. This interpretation could reflect the idea that war, despite its violent nature, can sometimes be necessary to defend and preserve peace.

The Colossus of Rhodes is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It was a massive statue of the god Helios, the sun god in Greek mythology, believed to have been built in the Greek city of Rhodes around 292 BC. It is thought to have stood about 33 meters tall, making it one of the largest statues in ancient history. The colossal statue was made of bronze and iron and stood at the entrance of the Rhodes harbor as a symbol of strength and prestige. Unfortunately, the statue was destroyed only 56 years after its construction due to a powerful earthquake.

This sculpture, "Sapho", is a masterpiece by James Pradier, created in 1852 and housed in the Musée d'Orsay in Paris. The sculpture depicts Sappho, the renowned Greek poetess from the island of Lesbos, who is one of the most significant figures in ancient Greek literature. She was known for her emotional and delicate poetry, often centered on love and human relationships. In this artwork, Sappho appears in a sorrowful pose, seated on a rock, holding her foot, while her musical instrument (a lyre) lies discarded beside her. This detail seems to symbolize the end of creativity or profound sadness. The scene is thought to represent her suffering from unrequited love or loneliness, aligning with the legend that she leapt into the sea from a cliff due to her broken heart.

The painting depicts a scene from Greco-Roman mythology, where Juno (known as Hera to the Greeks) asks Venus (Aphrodite), the goddess of love and beauty, to borrow her magical girdle. This story is part of the events in The Iliad by the poet Homer. In the context of the Trojan War, Hera sought to distract Zeus from observing the battle between the Greeks and the Trojans so she could assist the Greeks without his interference. To achieve this, she devised a cunning plan. She approached Aphrodite and asked to borrow her magical girdle, which granted its wearer the power to inspire love and desire. With the girdle, Hera successfully captured Zeus's attention and distracted him from the war, enabling her to help the Greeks indirectly. The painting, titled "Juno Asking Venus for Her Girdle, 1781," was created by Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun.

The painting "The Massacre of the Innocents" by French artist Léon Cogniet, created in 1824, depicts an event mentioned in Christian tradition. The story refers to King Herod's order to kill all male infants in Bethlehem under the age of two, driven by fear of a prophecy about the birth of a new king (Christ). The painting is an example of the Romantic school, which focused on expressing intense emotions and human tragedies. It also showcases exceptional artistic skill in rendering details and emotions with striking realism.