Cleveland Museum of Art

Pharmacy Jar (Albarello)

Domenego da Venezia

Date

c. 1550–70

Medium

tin-glazed earthenware (maiolica)

Culture

Italy, Venice

Department

Decorative Art and Design

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

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. Featuring a fashionably clad gentleman’s torso, this pharmacy jar displays the coat of arms of the Hercolani family, who made their fortune dealing in textiles for men’s clothing.

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