Medusa's Metamorphosis: Art, Mythology, and the Changing Perception of Female Power

Authors

Elizabeth Kehr, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

First Advisor

Michael Hoff

Committee Members

Katie Anania, Morgan Palmer

Date of this Version

5-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Citation

A thesis presented to the faculty of the Graduate College at the University of Nebraska in partial fulfillment of requirements for the degree of Master of Arts

Major: Art History

Under the supervision of Professor Michael Hoff

Lincoln, Nebraska, May 2025

Comments

Copyright 2025, Elizabeth Kehr. Used by permission

Abstract

The evolution of Medusa’s iconography in ancient Greek art mirrors societal and cultural transformations. As attitudes shifted in relation to gender roles, power relationships, and morality changed, so too did images of the Gorgon. Following the course of development of Medusa’s image allows one to discover details of the thoughts and struggles the ancient Greeks had with concepts of power, womanhood, and monstrosity and otherness. Previous art historical research on Medusa has largely examined her function and evolution of visual depictions from the Archaic monster to Classical ideal. Few, however, have explored how and why these changes may be indicative of larger societal and cultural transformations. This study seeks to fill that gap by linking the evolution of Medusa’s image to shifting perceptions of gender, power, and monstrosity.

Using depictions of Medusa across various mediums, including sculpture, pottery, and architecture, this paper applies a comparative analysis to examine how the image of Medusa has changed over time. The depictions are analyzed within their historical and societal context to determine how transformations in her depiction coincide with transformations in society and values. The analysis indicates that the development of Medusa’s image in art is not just a matter of aesthetics but is closely tied with the shifting values of Greek society. The transition from a monstrous, apotropaic figure to one more humanized is indicative of changing attitudes toward female power, identity, and agency within ancient Greece. This work highlights the value of mythology as a device through which societal values are reflected and negotiated. By connecting the evolving depictions of Medusa to the general cultural transformations in ancient Greece, this thesis provides a richer explanation of the manner in which art and myth were employed to explore and articulate complex ideas about gender and power. It demonstrates that artistic representations of mythological figures like Medusa were not only tools for aesthetic expression but also important cultural markers.

Advisor: Michael Hoff