CM: This mask in terracotta is inspired by the marble Medusa Rondanini, a 4th century B.C. copy of a 5th century original, kept at the Munich Glyptothek. Its expected attribution to Ghika was recently confirmed by artist Costas Evangelatos, who recalls that this sculpture was one of Ghika's many presents to Friar for the latter's fascination - if not identification - with the medusa. This artwork is likely to belong to the cycle of the four documented medusas of 1948, during the month that Ghika stayed at Friar's cottage on Poros island. Despite the difference in terms of period and material, the style of this sculpture closely relates to the Mask of Proteus, especially in terms of the face's anatomical proportions. Like Proteus, Mask after Medusa Rondanini is a high relief to be appreciated as much from the front as from the side.
[Megakles 12/2004]
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
ROGAKOS, MEGAKLES Reincarnated Painting: Sculpture by Ghika 2006 The American College of Greece - ACG Art, Athens [English / Greek insert]
