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Pharmacy Jar (Albarello)
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.
About this work
Depictions of ancient myths were a popular subject for ceramic decoration during the Renaissance. This pharmacy jar features the myth of Perseus and Andromeda. According to Greek mythology, a sea monster was sent to destroy the kingdom of Ethiopia after Queen Cassiopeia offended the sea nymphs. To appease the gods, Andromeda was chained to a rock and offered as a sacrifice to the monster. Before the creature could devour her, Perseus flew in on his winged horse and slayed the beast.
Cleveland Museum of Art’s own descriptionCredit linePharmacy Jar (Albarello), c. 1550–70. Circle of Domenego da Venezia (Italian). Tin-glazed earthenware (maiolica); overall: 28.9 x 16.5 cm (11 3/8 x 6 1/2 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of J. H. Wade, 1920.421
