Sisters Graeae

I was excited to draw this image as I was somewhat familiar with these women, but when I learned of the "swan-like" versions described by Aeschylus, I knew I wanted to lean into that horror to design these strange and terrifying creatures. The composition for the image can about from necessity; needing to have Perseus stealthily sneak in and snatch away their one shared eye, so I came up with a ledge above them for our hero to climb and use. Putting the Gods (athena and hermes) into my images to show their role in the myths offers a fresh way to see these types of scenes.

I, Perseus, son of Zeus, call upon the gods to help me locate the home of the Gorgon sisters. Athena, Goddess of wisdom, and Hermes, God of diplomacy, appear to me, telling me I must first visit another set of three sisters; the sisters Graeae. These are three gray haired old hags with swan like bodies, who share but one eye and tooth between them.

After weeks of difficult trekking, I find my self on the island of Cisthene, in the craggy land of the sisters Graeae. Sneaking up, I wait until they pass their one eye between them, snatching it away, and threatening to hurl it into the sea unless they help me locate the home of the Gorgons. The sisters relent, and reveal the location. But it will be no easy task. The gorgon sisters have golden wings, bronze hands, snakes for hair, and worst of all, their gazes turn men to stone. I will need sacred weapons for such a mission, and more divine aid.