Mythology, derived from the Greek muthos meaning "story", is the art of telling tales from a distant past. Telling of romance, tragedy, gods and heroes, myths depict an elaborate fantasy world that exists beyond our reality. In times past, these have ranged from stories of cyclops, one-eyed giants blinded by Odysseus and half-man and half-bull minotaurs born from a queen's seething passion. These ancient stories are fictitious in narrative, yet, revealing of the most basic human experiences.
Mythologies of ancient civilizations are continually returned to and referenced in our contemporary culture. Myths are known to us through countless post-classical sources such as Renaissance plays, Freudian psychoanalysis, Hollywood epics, Disney cartoons, advertisements, songs, and of course through art. Mythology is so prevalent in art because it resonates across time, embodying new forms while keeping a recognizable thread.
Greek myths have captivated the imaginations of artists since ancient sculptors created gods and goddesses out of marble. The trials of ancient Greek heroes and monsters have served as inspiration for Renaissance masters, Surrealists, and conceptual artists alike in an ode to Classicalism. Below, we have curated a selection of artworks detailing an inspiration derived from the mythology that has been so deeply woven into art history. Discover on Artsper some of the mythologically inspired artworks from a selection of contemporary artists! Examples range from historical pieces featuring gods and goddesses to contemporary works in which the artist engages with broad religious ideas or creates personal mythologies.
