Atalanta with the Head of Orpheus - By Charles Moffat 2007

I was inspired by Gustave Moreau's work (below left), and the story of Atalanta finding the head of Orpheus, to create the above work depicting a blue Atalanta holding aloft the head of Orpheus and threatening to throw it into the sea.

In the myth Atalanta sought out Orpheus' advice on how to avoid getting married. Orpheus however knew that she was destined to eventually marry and so told her that she could only marry someone who could beat her in a foot race. Unhappy with his answer Atalanta flung his head into the sea and it was later washed ashore and found by two nymphs (see Waterhouse's below right).

The head of Orpheus is actually based directly on "The Head of Divine Vengeance" by Pierre-Paul Prud'hon, a French Romanticist (below middle). For more about Orpheus, Atalanta and art about Greek mythology in general I suggest Achilles to Zephyr: An Alphabetical Listing of Greek & Roman Art by Topic.

- Charles Moffat, 2007.

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