This video features a painting called Sirens, by the German artist Hans Thoma (c. 1839-1924). Thoma’s artwork was inspired by the Sirens of ancient Greek mythology. Sirens were formidable monsters who were known to use beautiful singing to lure seafarers to their deaths. These creatures of myth were described in ancient Greek literature as far back as the time of Homer, who featured these mythical entities in The Odyssey. In ancient art, Sirens were depicted with birdlike qualities. Artworks from ancient times showed Sirens having avian bodies and wings. Hans Thoma’s painting gives the Sirens a much more humanoid shape, but he alludes to the ancient artistic design by leaving his Sirens with bird-like feet. The deadly nature of the mythological monsters is hinted at by the skill that the painter left displayed at the bottom of the canvas. Read more about this painting and the mythology that inspired it, HERE.
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