The Sleeping Medusa
circa 1896
Fernand Khnopff completely flips the scary Gorgon myth on its head in his haunting 1896 piece, La Médusa endormie. Instead of a terrifying, snake-haired monster turning people to stone, we see a serene, androgynous figure wrapped in massive, feathered wings, gazing peacefully into a deep blue void. Created during the height of the Symbolist movement, Khnopff loved mixing classical mythology with dreamlike, mysterious vibes to explore the subconscious. It’s a quiet, almost hypnotic take on a legendary monster, leaving viewers to wonder if this winged Medusa is truly asleep or just waiting for the right moment to strike.
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