THATMuse

Hermaphrodite: Boundless Beauty

Two forms becoming one is Hermaphrodite. With roots in ancient Greek mythology, the tale of Hermaphrodite relates to modern discussions of gender identity and, through sculptural depictions, this figure becomes a beautiful ambiguity everyone can experience.   

The Venus of Urbino: An Inside Look

The Italian Renaissance is home to many impressive paintings including Titian’s iconic Venus of Urbino. This sensual work encourages much discussion surrounding classical works, marriage, and female beauty. Let’s see what Titian’s painting has to say!  

Retelling Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus

I’d like to introduce you to Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus! This painting imagines the very beginning of our favorite love goddess.

Nike of Samothrace, statue at the Louvre

Introducing Nike: Greek Goddess of Victory

In Ancient Greek mythology, Nike was the Goddess who personified Victory.  Personifications weren’t rare in Greek religion. For example, Arete was the Goddess of excellence and virtue, and Aeltheia was the spirit of truth. Sister of Kratos (Stregth),… Read More

Statue of the head of Medusa, Louvre museum

The Real Percy Jackson: The Story of Perseus and Medusa

In the last 15 years, the Percy Jackson series has become one of the most popular book and movie franchises of our time. Fans of the series will know that Percy’s adventures mirror many of the deeds of… Read More

Ancient Warriors: The Amazons in Greek Mythology

In Greek mythology, the Amazons were a tribe of strong lady warriors. In some versions of the myth, they lived in isolation, at the edge of the civilised world, and only communicated with men in order to reproduce…. Read More

Wild Things

When you think of the Wild Things of Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are you might as well think of Gorgons. As any American who grew up since it was published in 1963 will remember Max was sent to… Read More

Pitting the Beauty against the Beast

What more appropriate to the Beauty & Bestiary theme (or the Ladies au Louvre theme) than to linger on Three Graces (of which the Louvre has many – from Lucas Cranach’s to the Borghese 3 Graces) Bestiaries are… Read More

THATKid Tuesday: Percy Jackson at the British Museum

The Percy Jackson series tells the stories of the half-mortal / half-god children (called demigods) of the ancient Greek Mythology. The story follows Percy, son of Poseidon, and his friends at Camp Half Blood, which is the only… Read More