# The Baleful Head

[View the canonical artwork record](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/burne-jones-edward-r60fcc9bbdf4216/the-baleful-head-rd934009b9818c5>)

## Artwork

- Artist: [BURNE-JONES, Edward](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/burne-jones-edward-r60fcc9bbdf4216>)
- Date: 1851-1900
- Technique: Oil on canvas, 155 x 130 cm

## Commentary

This picture is number 8 in the Perseus Cycle depicting the stories of Perseus. The picture, like other members of the series, draws upon the version of the Perseus legend that appears in William Morris&#39;s &#34;The Doom of King Acrisius&#34; from The Earthly Paradise. During his flight, Perseus uses Medusa&#39;s head to turn Atlas to stone after the giant refuses him hospitality. In the next incident \(which Burne-Jones later divided into two scenes\), Perseus discovers the naked Andromeda bound to a rock as a sacrifice to appease the sea-god Poseidon. After destroying the sea monster, he bears Andromeda to the court of her father, who offers his daughter in marriage. The wedding feast is interrupted by Phineus, another of Andromeda&#39;s suitors, but he and his followers are also turned to stone by Perseus. Finally, Perseus shows Andromeda the reflection of Medusa&#39;s head as a means of convincing her of his own divinity and thereby wins her love.

## Related artworks

- [East window: Adoration of the Lamb](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/burne-jones-edward-r60fcc9bbdf4216/east-window-adoration-of-the-lamb-r9b5b4728fbd444>)
- [Flora](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/burne-jones-edward-r60fcc9bbdf4216/flora-r0341ad6f21e1e2>)
- [Garden of the Hesperides](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/burne-jones-edward-r60fcc9bbdf4216/garden-of-the-hesperides-r5ff7b413813db7>)
- [Princess Sabra \(The King&#39;s Daughter\)](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/burne-jones-edward-r60fcc9bbdf4216/princess-sabra-the-kings-daughter-r2aae083d2f5143>)
- [The Annunciation](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/burne-jones-edward-r60fcc9bbdf4216/the-annunciation-r80d7977fc7cfff>)
- [The Arming and Departure of the Knights](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/burne-jones-edward-r60fcc9bbdf4216/the-arming-and-departure-of-the-knights-r2bc3137ae2e0d1>)
- [The Beguiling of Merlin](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/burne-jones-edward-r60fcc9bbdf4216/the-beguiling-of-merlin-r3ad58c2bccf81c>)
- [The Days of Creation](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/burne-jones-edward-r60fcc9bbdf4216/the-days-of-creation-r4e01f751f7dedb>)
- [The Days of Creation: The Fifth Day](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/burne-jones-edward-r60fcc9bbdf4216/the-days-of-creation-the-fifth-day-r037d996b3120db>)
- [The Days of Creation: The First Day](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/burne-jones-edward-r60fcc9bbdf4216/the-days-of-creation-the-first-day-r42b793e4e6b6e0>)
- [The Days of Creation: The Second Day](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/burne-jones-edward-r60fcc9bbdf4216/the-days-of-creation-the-second-day-rede3d5944f3143>)
- [The Days of Creation: The Sixth Day](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/burne-jones-edward-r60fcc9bbdf4216/the-days-of-creation-the-sixth-day-r543bbddbcdeea2>)

## Attribution

[Web Gallery of Art](<https://beta.wga.hu/pages/about>)