It's All Greek to Me!

Photo
A Sick Child Brought Into the Temple of Aesculapius by John William Waterhouse, 1877.  WATERHOUSE!!! Gosh I love him. Anywhoo, this here lovely painting is about the Temple of Aesculapius, a son of Apollo who was famous for his amazing healing powers. He was even able to bring back the dead, but Zeus and Co. did not like that and therefore punished/killed him (Aesculapius). Here, the sick girl is offering a spring of laurel (I think) to the fires of the temple, as a sacrifice/offering to Aes., (who was worshiped as a god). Her older sister (kneeling) is also holding a branch of laurel, and the whole family has come to pray for the child’s wellbeing. The laurel tree/its leaves are the tree/symbol of Apollo, Aes.’s father, who was also worshiped as a god of medicine— therefore, laurel branches are everywhere in regards to Apollo and his offspring.  Other symbols of Aesculapius were snakes, and his staff (like Hermes). It is such a touching and beautiful painting— there is so much to look at and absorb that I could stare at it for hours. Enjoy! Zoom

A Sick Child Brought Into the Temple of Aesculapius by John William Waterhouse, 1877. 

WATERHOUSE!!! Gosh I love him. Anywhoo, this here lovely painting is about the Temple of Aesculapius, a son of Apollo who was famous for his amazing healing powers. He was even able to bring back the dead, but Zeus and Co. did not like that and therefore punished/killed him (Aesculapius).

Here, the sick girl is offering a spring of laurel (I think) to the fires of the temple, as a sacrifice/offering to Aes., (who was worshiped as a god). Her older sister (kneeling) is also holding a branch of laurel, and the whole family has come to pray for the child’s wellbeing. The laurel tree/its leaves are the tree/symbol of Apollo, Aes.’s father, who was also worshiped as a god of medicine— therefore, laurel branches are everywhere in regards to Apollo and his offspring. 

Other symbols of Aesculapius were snakes, and his staff (like Hermes).

It is such a touching and beautiful painting— there is so much to look at and absorb that I could stare at it for hours.

Enjoy!


  1. lll-lll reblogged this from kkrovvy
  2. kkrovvy reblogged this from playmethelyre
  3. playmethelyre reblogged this from stephalefagus and added:
    Too bad His rod gets mistaken...the gods. Poor Asclepius.
  4. stephalefagus posted this
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