Show notes
PIERO DI COSIMO |
Liberazione di Andromeda |
Uffizi, Sala 28 |
Versione integrale | La narrazione è di Viviana Fanizza, la voce di Ottavia Piccolo |
Leggi la scheda completa dell'opera su uffizi.it
Piero di Cosimo | Perseus Freeing Andromeda | Room 28
A clear sky, a warm embrace, perhaps the last one between Andromeda and Cassiopeia, the mother who had boasted she was the most beautiful Nereid. In order to punish her, Poseidon sent a monster to raid the kingdom of Andromeda’s father, Cepheus.
The first time I saw this painting I was struck by the monster, a dragon that looks gentle rather than scary, like those creatures you can find inside a book of fairy tales. It could only have been painted by Piero di Cosimo, “artist of witty and extravagant invention”. Then, as my gaze moved over the canvas, I saw a girl tied to a tree. In the foreground, three despairing women. They are unable to look at what is happening. And I can’t look at them without a feeling of rage taking hold of me. A tragedy is taking place and no one is intervening. It is easier not to look! Like for men, who show just a hint of distress. Only then I noticed the two figures embracing on the hill. Andromeda knows she has to die: the oracle has asked for her sacrifice to placate the ire of Poseidon. But she is unable to leave the embrace of her mother, which is so reassuring
This embrace led me to start weaving this story into my own. And I suddenly thought of you, my new friend in a new town. I arrived in Florence, looking forward to a new life. We shared so much back then, and even when we went our separate ways, I knew you were there. Yours was a warm embrace.
Andromeda is now tied to a tree trunk. Her nerves are tense with fear; her face is grey.
When I look at Andromeda, unable to react, I think of the pain that paralyzes you. And when I see her exposed breasts, I think about my pain, that cannot be avoided because it is inside me. When my father died, I felt like I had lost my roots. All gone. The monster arrived suddenly, even if heralded.
Suddenly, the monster’s breath is on her. “Where are you? Father, mother?” Not a look. Not a word.
I don’t know why you turned away, my friend. Perhaps you couldn’t bear my pain. I stopped seeking you out.
Perseus, the young savior, flies proudly in. He lands elegantly on the monster’s back. The monster gasps, sprays water from its nostrils… Yes! You arrived softly, my son, and soothed everything. You look at me and my heart rejoices. Without even knowing my terror, you defeat it.
There’s music, branches are waved, eyes look up in gratitude. Andromeda dances towards her hero, who looks at her with a dreamy expression. It is truly over!