Final answer:
Luciano Garbati's statue depicts Medusa holding the head of Perseus, contrasting with historical depictions where Perseus is the hero holding Medusa's head. Garbati challenges traditional narratives, presenting Medusa as an empowered figure rather than a victim, which is a significant departure from Mannerist and Classical interpretations of the myth.
Step-by-step explanation:
Luciano Garbati's sculpture of Medusa with the head of Perseus is a contemporary reinterpretation that inverts the traditional mythical narrative. Unlike the Mannerist and Classical sculptures that depict Perseus triumphantly holding the severed head of Medusa, Garbati's statue presents Medusa standing victoriously and holding the head of Perseus. This subversion of the classic tale represents a significant deviation from the historical sculptures largely inspired by the story of Perseus, such as those by Benvenuto Cellini and Antonio Canova. Cellini's intricate Mannerism sculpture and Canova's refined Classical statue both celebrate Perseus as the hero, emphasizing his divine help and successful beheading of Medusa.
In contrast, Garbati's Medusa doesn't depict her as a monster but as a powerful figure, seemingly reclaiming her narrative. Garbati's work is more than a simple retelling; it engages with contemporary themes of power dynamics and portrays Medusa in a new light—less as a victim of Perseus and more as an empowered figure. This modern take on the ancient myth has sparked discussions and interpretations regarding female empowerment and the subversion of traditional gender roles in mythology.