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Artworks
Alexis HUNTER 1948-2014
Scylla, 1992Aquatint57.5 x 37.9 cmScylla’s is a story of a woman crazed by lust, who betrayed her father for a man who rejected her passion. While King Nisus was defending the city of Megara...Scylla’s is a story of a woman crazed by lust, who betrayed her father for a man who rejected her passion. While King Nisus was defending the city of Megara against attack, his daughter Scylla fell rapturously in love with his enemy King Minos. Scylla planned to seduce Minos by presenting him with the lock of purple hair that protected her father’s life and kept his kingdom safe. She snuck into Nisus’s chamber one night, cut off his hair and then crept into the enemy camp to present it to Minos and declare her love. Minos was horrified, but nevertheless went on to take Megara, then swiftly departed. Incensed, Scylla flung herself after him and held onto one of his boats as it sped away through the waves. Transformed into a sea eagle by the gods, her father flew after her, ripping her from the boat and casting her into the water. Before she drowned, Scylla was transformed into a sea bird, condemned to be chased across the surface of the oceans by her father.1of 2