The Fable of Arachne
Stories behind the Works of Art
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The Spinners or The Fable of Arachne (1655-1660). Velázquez
The myth of Arachne is a convincing proof that the gods, as far as their behavior is concerned, are usually more human than gods: Athena (in Greek mythology, Minerva in Roman mythology), one of the most powerful figures of Olympus, goddess of war, wisdom, and the arts (at that time the arts were not separated from the crafts), explodes with fury because a young girl says that she weaves better than her.
That young woman is Arachne, and her virtuosity is certainly admired by the whole town. Virtuosity that goes hand in hand with the vanity and arrogance of proclaiming herself more talented than the goddess.
Athena, disguised as an old woman, goes to visit the young woman and tells her to retract and stop offending the goddess, who would forgive her if she apologized immediately.
Arachne, as expected, does not retract, mocks her, and, as if that were not enough, comments that if the goddess considers herself more skilled than her, they should compete to settle the matter.
Furious, the goddess unveils herself and agrees to compete with the mortal.
Athena’s tapestry is superb and shows the gods of Olympus in all their magnificence.
The one of Arachne is not only better but also shows the gods in scenes of infidelity, offensive scenes. (In Velázquez’s painting, we observe Zeus, Athena’s father, abducting Europa disguised as a bull.)
The work represents two moments of the myth: in front, the weaving competition (with Athena as an old woman); and in the background, Athena with her warrior’s helmet angry with the young woman, next to the tapestry that offends the gods.
Athena realizes that she has been defeated. But as she has the power of a goddess, she resolves things capriciously and turns Arachne into a spider, condemning her to weave for all eternity.
Recommended links:
Velázquez, the Painter of the Greatness and the Miseries of Men.
Innocent X and the “troppo vero”.
“I would rather be the first painter of common things, than second in higher art.”
Characteristic Elements of Baroque Painting.
Artistic Movements from Classical Antiquity to Rococo.
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