This is a very attractive little antique pencil signed etching by the Scots born, American artist - Arthur Edwin Wrench. It is very uncommon subject for him - and I have been unable to find another - so it is a rather rare work.
There is not much known about Wrench - but it seems that he lived in Pollokshields in Glasgow - and exhibited two works at the Glasgow Institute. Wrench immigrated to America and relocated to New York City - where he sketched an array of subjects - more often the subjects documenting everyday life in Manhattan.
This is certainly an unusual work for him - as he is more often associated with detailed monochrome etched or engraved works of people or landscapes.
It is signed bottom right: Arthur Edwin Wrench.
Dimensions: The frame is 45.5 x 33 cm. The image size is 31 x 32 cm.
The subject of his etching comes from Greek Mythology and shows Perseus Cutting of the Head of the Medusa. A subject that was more recently depicted with its full goriness in the Ray Harryhausen movie "Clash of the Titans" (1981).
The original tale is fabulous. King Polydectes designed to marry Perseus's mother and to enable this act to take place, he had to get rid of her disapproving son. He asked Perseus to go and fetch the head of the Medusa - hoping that he might perish on this perilous mission.
However, the Gods sided with Perseus and gave him magical gifts to help in his quest. He was given a mirrored shield from Athena, winged sandals from Hermes, a sword from Hephaestus and from Hades invisibility.
Perseus used Athena's reflective shield to watch Medusa and to avoid her literally petrifying gaze (which would have turned him to stone). He sneaked up on the sleeping Medusa and beheaded her as she slept.
The print shows to the left of the figure of Perseus the body of the winged horse Pegasus emerging from the dead body of the Gorgon. The severed head was given to Athena - and it was placed on her shield. The Medusa was usually represented as a winged female creature (as in Wrench's etching) having a head of hair consisting of snakes. She was one of three Gorgons - and the only one which was mortal (another Gorgon is shown in the background of Wrench's etching).
All this activity is shown in the etching by Wrench - the composition at first appears slightly jumbled but makes total sense if you know the story behind the image.
CONDITION: The etching is in lovely condition with no issues. We have had it professionally framed with a new acid-free window mount and simply black frame. It is totally fresh and ready for you to just hang on your wall. If is a fascinating work if you are interested in Greek Mythology or ladies with snake-like hair!
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