Heroes of Antiquity – Excursion to Sinebrychoff Art Museum on February 26, 2025
The lives of figures from ancient mythology were colorful, with gods frequently interfering in mortal affairs. Thus, it is no wonder tragedies became commonplace. The story of Orpheus provides insight into facing such tragedies. After the death of his wife, Eurydice, Orpheus attempted to rescue her from the underworld but failed by looking back despite Hades’ explicit instruction. Upon becoming widowed, he dedicated himself entirely to his art. As a mythical singer, Orpheus soothed animals and humans alike with his divine music, allowing nothing to distract him. Due to divine intrigues and their own human flaws, ancient heroes experienced numerous setbacks.
When contemplating ancient heroes, Heracles (Hercules) and his Twelve Labors immediately come to mind. These labors were preceded by the scheming goddess Hera and his tragic murder of his own family during a fit of madness. Seneca wrote a tragedy about this event, inspiring Albrecht Dürer to create a woodcut in the late 15th century. Subsequently, other figures from Olympus became integral parts of European art and entertainment. The collective group of gods is often referred to as a pantheon—a term also used by Mikael Agricola for his compilation of ancient Finnish deities. Figuratively, the term symbolizes peak achievements within a particular art form, exemplified by classical Greek sculpture. It is important to remember that although these sculptures now often appear as fragmented, pale marble figures, places like the Acropolis originally glowed vividly with colors. The exhibition captures this vibrancy through Tuulikki Pietilä’s woodcut, offering an unconventional perspective.
In sculpture, the emphasis on the human body aimed not to depict exact likenesses but rather idealized forms for both humans and gods. This was evident when observing the massive head of Hera at the exhibition, notable for its masculine appearance. Indeed, ancient heroes were frequently men and demigods. And what about the terrifying Medusa? Goddesses often became jealous of mortal beauties, as illustrated by Athena transforming Medusa into a monster. Although Medusa once turned viewers into stone, her image eventually became a protective symbol, famously adopted in the logo of the fashion house Versace.
Egoism is incredibly destructive in human communities. At its most extreme, a cult may serve as a potent vehicle for egotistical hubris. Aleister Crowley once embodied the model of occult rock stardom. His eventual fate is worth considering. Similarly, the infamous Icarus flew too close to the sun on wings crafted by his father, Daedalus. The wax holding his wings melted, leading to his fatal fall. This young daredevil provides a cautionary tale about boundless arrogance and overconfidence. Perttu Häkkinen once asked a colleague of mine, ”What is your great work?” In my view, nobody’s Magnum Opus should have such a disastrous endpoint.
How can we benefit from these fictional tragedies? Art-induced empathy and fear offer catharsis—a welcome purification of the soul. Among many ways to reset the mind, this method remains one of the most refreshing.
If sculpture piques your interest further, I recommend two European museums. At the Glyptotek in Copenhagen, visual art and Dionysian elements blend wonderfully, reflecting the legacy of its founder, the owner of Carlsberg Brewery. His son, Carl Jacobsen, amassed a significant collection, notably Greek and Roman sculptures, and was responsible for the iconic Little Mermaid statue in Copenhagen’s harbor.
In Paris, my favorite museum is Musée Rodin, located in Hôtel Biron, featuring numerous works by sculptor Auguste Rodin and his partner, Camille Claudel. The museum is worth visiting even solely for its gardens, which showcase the bronze-cast Gates of Hell and Rodin’s most famous sculpture, The Thinker. Additionally, research conducted at Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek explores the original coloring of ancient sculptures. Interestingly, marble sculptors from the golden age intentionally left their works bare, stripped down to their essence.
Recommended reading: Anne Delbée’s Camille Claudel – Life of the Sculptor.
This exhibition is on display until August 17, 2025, at the Sinebrychoff Art Museum on Bulevardi in Helsinki.