‘Minotaur’ by George Frederic Watts, 1885. Tate Britain, London, UK
Vik Muniz São Paulo, Brazil, b. 1961
Further images
The work Minotaur (2006) is inspired by the painting created by George Frederic Watts in 1885.
In Greek mythology, the Minotaur is a creature with the body of a man and the head of a bull. According to the legend, the Minotaur was imprisoned in a labyrinth built by Daedalus, the master craftsman, under the orders of King Minos of Crete. The labyrinth was so intricate that anyone who entered would never find their way out.
The Minotaur was said to feast on the sacrifices of Athenian men and women, sent as tribute to King Minos. However, the hero Theseus was determined to put an end to this ritual. With the help of a golden thread given to him by Ariadne, Theseus navigated the labyrinth, killed the Minotaur, and escaped.
The image of the Minotaur endures in art, literature, and folklore, symbolizing the struggle between humanity and the monstrous, as well as the triumph of courage and ingenuity.
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Pinterest
Artsy
Subscribe