Danae. Bagliori del mito

The tradition of Greek mythology follows complex, sometimes difficult, paths. Not all its myths are given the same attention over time: such is the case of the story of Danaë, relatively neglected. For fear of being killed by his nephew (as prophesied by the oracle of Delphi) Acrisius, king of Argos, decided to lock his daughter in a tower. Under a golden rain, Danaë was ‘loved’ by Zeus and, in her confinement, conceived a son, Perseus. As punishment, Acrisius closed Danaë and the little Perseus in a nailed wooden box that was thrown into the sea. Mother and child saved themselves and the myth has persisted. This issue of Engramma is dedicated to the afterlife of the myth of Danaë: from Greek Antiquity to contemporary art, passing through the Medieval and Modern traditions. It includes contributions by Barbara Baert, Maddalena Bassani, Monica Centanni, Mario Cesarano, Simona Dolari, Gabriella Fényes, Lorenzo Gigante, Elena Pirazzoli, Carlo Sala, Andrea Torre, and Piermario Vescovo.