Lovis Corinth (1858–1925) was one of the most successful and exuberant artists of East Prussia. He wrote books and articles about the art of graphics, created expressive portraits, self-portraits, and etchings working at the interface of two styles: Impressionism and Expressionism.

The artist was born in a small town of Tapiau in a peasant family, and he received education in Konigsberg. Then he went to improve his skills to Munich, Antwerp, Paris and Berlin. In Paris Corinth got acquainted with the work of Flemish artisans of the 17th century and was especially impressed by the heritage of Pieter Paul Rubens. Corinth also had ties with Secession in Berlin — a reputable artistic association rejecting the academic style.

Despite having a brain attack, the artist enjoyed 1910-1920-s as the most productive years. At this time, he was living almost in reclusion in Urfeld, a village on the banks of Lake Walchensee in Bavaria. Together with his wife Charlotte Berend, they rejected any social engagements, so Corinth had a lot of time for his work.

The etching Perseus and Andromeda is based on a story from Ancient Greece mythology. Andromeda was the daughter of Cepheus, the tsar of Ethiopia, and Cassiopeia. Once the girl’s mother started boasting that Andromeda was more beautiful than the Nereids — splendid sea nymphs. The Nereids could not tolerate such impertinence and turned to Poseidon, the ruler of the sea, wishing to wreak vengeance upon supercilious Cassiopeia. Poseidon sent the monster of the deep to destroy the people of Cepheus. However, the oracle prompted the tsar to calm Poseidon’s angriness by sacrificing the tsar’s daughter. Cepheus had to agree and chained Andromeda to the rock, where Perseus found her — the hero volunteered to fight with the monsters to save the beautiful girl. Corinth depicted this very moment.

 Naked Andromeda is in the center of the composition. Charlotte Berend, the artist’s wife, was the model for her. Corinth often painted his close family, especially his wife. Perseus, the son of Zeus and Danae, is covering the girl with his clothes. This work is believed to be one of the replicas of the painting created by the artist in 1900. As always, working on a mythological story Corinth treated it in a generalized sense and was not oriented on the well-known classic images. Thus, for example, Andromeda’s savior appears in the suit of armour, which creates a somewhat comical effect.