Ikonograficzne metamorfozy „złotych” mitów w malarstwie europejskim od piętnastego do siedemnastego wieku

Abstract

In this paper we analysed the Greek myths exclusively in terms of presence of the motifs of gold, both as the main narrative thread, and as an attribute of the selected characters. Firstly, we found the sources of inspiration for the painters, which came not only from the ancient literary tradition, but most of all from the modern encyclopaedic sources, as well as compendiums of symbols and hieroglyphs. Secondly, we analysed several selected paintings of Italian, French and Dutch masters ranging from fifteenth to seventeenth century for gold as a symbol of the hybris, victory and desire. Finally, we answered to the question of what the diversity of gold symbolism consisted. The gold ant its colour is therefore the essence of considerations, not only because of the gold’s status in the old culture, but also because of the metamorphosis of its symbolic meanings in modern Europe.