Perseus And Andromeda

Possibly one of the most known works by HC Fehr is his bronze of Perseus and Andromeda (1893). This was the first piece of his work that I came across and it remains my favourite.

It is not only a popular piece with me, it has been used on a number of occasions as a backdrop, notably in Marc Bolan's "Warlock of Love".

Presented to the Tate Gallery by the Trustees of the Chantrey Bequest in 1894 it measures 2743 x 2591 x 2184 mm. It resides on the East Balcony of the Tate Gallery, London and looks spectacular at sunset!

The legend behind the work:

Andromeda is chained to the rocky cliff, she is the daughter of Cepheus who is the King of the Aethiopians. His Queen, Casiopeia had angered the Sea Nymphs by daring to compare her own beauty to theirs and they then sent a monster to ravage the coast. To appease the Gods, Cepheus was directed to sacrifice his daughter, Andromeda to the monster.

Perseus appears over the chained Andromeda (Perseus is the son of Zeus) - he had previously slayed Medusa (whoever looked at Medusa was cast into stone immediately) and kept her head as his own weapon. He slays the dragon with his sword and rescues Andromeda. Once he has rescued her, he claims her as his bride as his reward for her rescue.....