Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones (1833-1898)

Perseus and the Graiae

The first task for Perseus is to find the Graiae and ask them where he can find the Nymphs who keep the items he needs to defeat Medusa. The Graiae are sisters of the Gorgons, who live in darkness near the end of the earth and have only one eye and one tooth that they share. When they refuse Perseus's request he takes the eye and forces them to give him an answer. Burne-Jones shows Perseus holding the eye while the Graiae, portrayed in classical drapery, grope in blindness. Above the picture is an inscription in Latin intended to outline the Perseus story for visitors to Balfour's music room.

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