South Italian Mirror with the Head of Medusa in the Getty Villa, July 2008

Hand Mirror with the Head of Medusa
Greek, made in South Italy, 500-480 BC
Bronze

Inventory # 96.AC.109

Medusa is the most famous of the Gorgons, three monstrous sisters in Greek mythology. Her gaze turned beholders to stone, thus her image often served as an apotropaic (protective) device in art. This mirror cleverly adapts that function: while the user looked at her own reflection, an onlooker would meet the Gorgon's stare.

Text from the Getty Villa museum label.