Lamia 1905

by John William Waterhouse

First Version [br] Oil on Canvas In ancient Greek mythology, Lamia was a female daemon who devoured children. According to late myths she was a queen of Libya who was beloved by Zeus. When Hera robbed her of her children from this union, Lamia killed every child she could get into her power. She was also known as a fiend who, in the form of a beautiful woman, seduced y...

Credit:: This image may be subject to copyright.
More:: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lamia

Discussion

Comments

Ioanna KarantagliConservator (76)
9 years ago
Waterhouse bases his portrayal of Lamia upon Keats' poem, published in 1820: She was a gordian shape of dazzling hue, Vermilion-spotted, golden, green, and blue; Striped like a zebra, freckled like a pard, Eyed like a peacock, and all crimson barr'd; And full of silver moons, that, as she breathed, Dissolv'd, or brighter shone, or interwreathed Their lustres with the gloomier tapestries-- So rainbow-sided, touch'd with miseries, She seem'd, at once, some penanced lady elf, Some demon's mistress, or the demon's self.

Tags

Lamia 1905

Created by

Contributed by

Discussion

Comments

More from this artist...

You may also like...