Andromeda

According to Greek mythology, Princess Andromeda had to be sacrificed in order to save her land from a voracious sea monster. After she was chained to a rock awaiting her fate, she was rescued by the Greek hero Perseus.

Rather than painting the whole story, Rembrandt only depicted the terrified Andromeda. Making emotion the main motif of the scene is characteristic of Rembrandt’s work. The naturalism with which he painted the naked body is far removed from the classical ideals of beauty.