Medusa was one of the three monstrous Gorgons, described as winged human females with living venomous snakes in place of hair. Those who gazed into her eyes would turn to stone.She was the daughter of Phorcys and Ceto. Medusa had the same appearance as her sisters: snakes coiled around her head, she had bronze arms and golden wings with which she flew, sparkling eyes and a piercing gaze.

She was killed by Perseus with the help of Athena in order to protect his mother, Danae, from Polydectes. From her miraculous blood, which was believed to be able to heal or kill people, the winged horse Pegasus was born. Her head, the famous "Gorgoneion", was taken by the goddess from Perseus and attached to her shield, because her head, even dead, petrified anyone who looked at it. Medusa and especially her head, was used since ancient times as a protection and apotropaic symbol and for that reason it was used as an ornament in temples and houses but also on armor, weapons, shields, chariots and various objects.

Medium: paper painted with watercolor and gold foil.

Woman of Borana tribe, Ethiopia.