Felix Edouard Vallotton created several paintings inspired by Greek mythology. His approach was specific, with large areas of clear colors and strong edges. These paintings are just a drop in his large opus, yet interesting for every scholar or art lover. We'll present them in alphabetical order with a short summary of every presented mythological scene.

Andromeda

Andromeda is an Aethipean princess, the daughter of King Cepheus and Queen Casiopea. Casiopea once claimed that she and Andromeda were prettier than Nereids, daughters of Poseidon. Poseidon, of course, is a mighty god who is easily offended. He sends a sea monster Cetus to destroy Aethiopia as a divine punishment. There is only one option to prevent the devastation of Aethiopia - Andromeda has to be sacrificed. She is exposed on the rock, waiting for inevitable death, when Perseus, a Greek hero spots her. He is willing to fight the Cetus if Andromeda's parents promise him the beautiful princess for his wife. Arrangements are made and the fight begins. Perseus wins with the help of Medusa's head (he slain Medusa in one of his previous adventures), with the capability to petrify everybody who looks at it.

Felix Vallotton obviously loved the scene of Andromeda in trouble. He painted the image above in 1907. Note how he used different colors for each of the protagonists.

The fight between Perseus and Cetus was created in 1910. The lady in distress and the hero who has to kill the monster inspired thousands of similar scenes in art, including St. George, who also had to slay the dragon.

In 1918, Andromeda is still waiting for the rescuer. Her pink complexion is in striking contrast with a green background. Vallotton loved to confront complementary colors.

Seven years later, Andromeda is not tight up but chained. She seems desperate.

Crepuscule

Crepuscule is a rarely used word that means twilight, dusk, or partial darkness. It's of Latin origin and is mostly used by poets. In mythology, it has a very specific meaning, though. By crepuscule, the Sunshine of the Olympics is described. It's divine light, fire brought by Prometheus to humankind. It's a gift but also a curse. For Prometheus and humans.

Felix Vallotton painted Crepuscule in 1904. He perfectly caught the contrast between light and darkness, together with caused panic.

Europa

Europa is Phoenician princess. Her beauty attracts Zeus, who turns himself into a tame white bull. Europa starts playing with him and eventually gets on his back. Zeus uses the opportunity and swims with her to the island of Crete. Europa becomes the first queen of Crete and mother of Minos.

The abduction of Europa partly resembles the story of Persephone, abducted by Hades.

Orpheus

Orpheus is a musician and prophet. He has a wife Eurydice who dies, but Orpheus gets a chance to rescue her. He fails and mourns so long that maenads, female followers of Dionysus, can't stand it anymore and kill him. Problem solved.

Felix Vallotton painted the Orpheus' death in 1904. He used the opportunity to present maenads as cruel as possible, again with complementary colors of red and green in strong contrast.

Pentheus

Pentheus is a less-known character from the Greek mythology. He is partly of divine origin. His grandmother is Harmonia, goddess of concord and harmony. He is also a cousin of Dionysus, the god of theatre, rituals, wine, etc. When Cadmus, king of Thebes, abdicates, he gives the throne to Pentheus, his grandson. Pentheus soon forbids the worship of Dionysus, who in turn causes a so-called Bacchic frenzy resulting in running all the women of Thebe to Mount Cithaeron. Pentheus tries to imprison Dionysus, but chains fall off his body.

Pentheus tries to spy on Bacchic rituals by hiding in the tree. He is spotted there by his mother and aunts, taken down and torn apart.

Felix Vallotton portrayed the scene of his attempt to escape in a composition similar to Crepuscule and Orpheus (both made in the same year). 

As we can see, colors play a crucial role in Vallotton's work. They were so important, that he often put them in the titles of his paintings, as well. Here is a selection of such paintings by Felix Vallotton. Share the stories with your friends!