---
title: Medea's Descent into Madness
author: Frederick Sandys
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/21551/medeas-descent-into-madness/
format: machine-readable-alternate
updated: 2026-01-26
---

# Medea's Descent into Madness

_Authored by Frederick Sandys_

## Image File

[![Medea's Descent into Madness](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/21551.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/21551.jpg)

## Image Caption

*[Medea](https://www.worldhistory.org/Medea/)*, oil on panel painting with gilded background by Frederick Sandys, 1868.

Medea is a key figure in the story of the quest for the [Golden Fleece](https://www.worldhistory.org/Golden_Fleece/) and a recurring subject of art and musical productions. According to [Greek mythology](https://www.worldhistory.org/Greek_Mythology/), she was the daughter of the king of Colchis and a descendant of the sun [god](https://www.worldhistory.org/God/) [Helios](https://www.worldhistory.org/Helios/) and the enchantress [Circe](https://www.worldhistory.org/Circe/). In the role of the sorceress who helps the young hero complete their quest and the spited woman who kills her own children, Medea embodies one of the oldest female archetypes in [literature](https://www.worldhistory.org/literature/) and [theatre](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/theatre/).

Birmingham Museum and Art Collection, United Kingdom.

## Cite This Work

### APA
Sandys, F. (2026, January 26). Medea's Descent into Madness. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/21551/medeas-descent-into-madness/>
### Chicago
Sandys, Frederick. "Medea's Descent into Madness." *World History Encyclopedia*, January 26, 2026. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/21551/medeas-descent-into-madness/>.
### MLA
Sandys, Frederick. "Medea's Descent into Madness." *World History Encyclopedia*, 26 Jan 2026, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/21551/medeas-descent-into-madness/>.

## License & Copyright

[Original image](https://dams.birminghammuseums.org.uk/assetbank-birminghammuseums/action/viewAsset?id=3479&index=1&total=4&view=viewSearchItem) by **Frederick Sandys**. Submitted by [Franco R. Batista Garcia](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/francobatista022/ "User Page: Franco R. Batista Garcia"), published on 26 January 2026. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Public Domain](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_domain). This item is in the public domain, and can be used, copied, and modified without any restrictions. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.