Myth 1

Did Etruscan frescoes contain myths different from those adopted by Rome?

Etruscan frescoes reveal a fascinating and distinct mythological universe from that adopted by Rome: original pantheon with Tinia, Uni and Charun, Greek tales profoundly transformed, unique vision ...

Why are Mesoamerican feathered serpents absent from European wall art before the 16th century?

Before the 16th century, no Mesoamerican feathered serpent adorned European walls. The Atlantic Ocean hermetically separated two mythological universes that ignored each other, until the brutal enc...

What pigments made the celestial blue of Tiepolo’s Olympian skies possible?

How did Tiepolo create these incomparable celestial blues in his Olympian frescoes? Venetian azurite, Bohemian smalt, Indian indigo and lead white: discover the alchemy of pigments that transformed...

How to Recognize a True Medieval Griffin from a Chimera in Religious Wall Art?

Look up at the vaults of cathedrals: majestic griffins and grotesque chimeras populate medieval religious art. Discover how their anatomy, placement, and symbolism reveal spiritual messages carved ...

The Fall of Icarus: Why Did Bruegel Relegate Him to the Background of His Painting?

In The Fall of Icarus, Bruegel makes the mythical hero disappear into a corner of the painting, creating a visual revolution that still questions our relationship with art, space, and the hierarchy...

Why are Valkyries depicted differently in Germanic and Scandinavian art?

Germanic and Scandinavian Valkyries embody two opposing visions: dark figures of implacable fate versus luminous warriors of eternal glory. Discover the visual codes, symbols, and traditions that d...