The Minotaur by Watts - Version 2 Poster

"The Minotaur" by George Frederick Watts In Greek mythology, the Minotaur was part man and part bull. He dwelt at the centre of a Cretian labyrinth built to imprison him. As the myth goes, children were shipped from Athens to the Island of Crete to be scarified as food for the Minotaur in exchange for his leaving the Island of Crete in peace. In this amazing painting by George Frederick Watts, the Minotaur is shown looking out over the sea in anticipation of the ship. In his hoof-like hand is a small crushed bird. This artwork is in the collection of U.K.'s Tate Gallery." In this way the Minotaur symbolises the greed and lust of society. To me, Watts' Minotaur looks like a creature broken by imprisonment, shoulders sagging. There's a haunted and dejected look about the creature, as if the monster is as much a victim as the sacrificial children he awaits. George Frederick Watts (1817-1904) was a popular English Victorian painter and sculptor associated with the Symbolist movement. Watts became famous in his lifetime for his allegorical works.