In Medusa (Rubens), how is the Iconography and Symbolism discussed?
The story of Medusa originates from Greek Mythology where Medusa is a Gorgon monster, which is portrayed in Rubens' rendition.  Medusa was raped in a sacred shrine dedicated to Minerva by Neptune. Minerva turned Medusa's hair into snakes as revenge for the violation of her shrine, which is portrayed in Rubens' portrayal of her.  Medusa was thought to be a apotropaic symbol that would protect from and banish evil. She has been compared to the modern evil eye. Iconographers at the time such as Cesare Ripa and Lodovico Dolce as well as Rubens portrayed her as such.  She was thought to be a symbol of evil to ward off evil.   Medusa is attributed to both evil and as a symbol of power, as portrayed in Rubens' interpretation.
Cesare Ripa Minerva Neptune Medusa Lodovico Dolce Gorgon apotropaic evil eye