The Powers of Medusa’s Head

When the blood dripped from Medusa’s head onto the plains of Libya, each drop of blood transformed into venomous serpents. The power of Medusa’s head is seen again when Perseus encountered the Titan Atlas. When Perseus asked Atlas for a place to rest for a short while, his request was refused. Knowing that he would not be able to defeat the Titan with brute force alone, he took out Medusa’s head, and Atlas was turned into a mountain.

Head of Medusa by Peter Paul Rubens

From The Real Story of Medusa: The Protective Powers From a Snake-Haired Gorgon

Horror Decor: Jessica Harrison’s Gruesome Ladies

My Mom loved Royal Doulton figurines when I was growing up, so they have a special appeal to me. You can imagine my delight when I first came upon the work of Jessica Harrison from the United Kingdom. She takes Royal Doulton figurines and revises them into gruesome ladies. Some are holding an internal organ or their entrails in their hands pulled out from their bodies. Others have chopped off limbs or are decapitated or nearly decapitated.

“Roberta” by Jessica Harrison, 2014

Visit Harrison’s online shop to see more of her work. She is selling prints of images of these pieces, so you can add one to your home.