The High Priestess of Apollo in Delphi #history #art #painting

[HistorybyMae]

Ancient sources suggest that the Pythia may have entered a trance by inhaling vapors that emerged from a fissure in the earth beneath the temple. Some modern scholars believe that these vapors contained hallucinogenic gases, such as ethylene or methane, which could cause altered states of consciousness. The site of Delphi was known for its geological activity, and the presence of these gases may have been an important factor in the oracular process.

The Pythia’s trance was also understood to be induced by the influence of Apollo. According to the ancient Greeks, Apollo would possess the oracle and speak through her. The Pythia's role was not to give personal opinions or knowledge, but to relay the will of the god.

During the trance, the Pythia was believed to speak in a frenzied, ecstatic state, sometimes uttering unintelligible words or phrases. These utterances were interpreted by priests and attendants who could translate them into coherent prophecies.

[PrvnCoke]

Imagine living your whole life stoned in a cave and great leaders come to you for advice

[ajnineteen]

I like that he painted her eyes closed but in a way that, from a distance, they look open.

[Octopugilist]

Oracles are such captivating figures. They wield such immense power and influence, yet simultaneously feel powerless, chained to their position, to their visions, to their interpreters and to the powerful men who covet the favor of their prophecy

Edit: Seems I started a war. For the record, my comment could be viewed as either "innocent woman tortured by the god's gift of prophecy" or "she was trippin'"

[MGMG-lcfe]

A dark uncomfortable corner, it seems she would be lonely, had it not been for her altered state of mind. I am moved by the artist as they seem to have captured the captive soul. I agree the music is a flawless addition, thank you Ms Mae✨

[lizlamkin]

Yeah she was definitely a high priestess😂

[Lucille]

I don't know why, but I was in awe when I first saw her. She's so ethereally beautiful, as she sat there.
She fits the definition of Priestess very much ✨
Her being able to connect to gods makes her extraordinary.

[Sunflowersarepretty]

The music here and her painting is just chef's kiss 💕💕

[Trintron]

I saw a recent video explaining that some people's heads are shaped in such a way that they can lean their head back and induce hallucinations. The scientists who found this out theorize this oracle also had that ability due to her history of visions from a young age and descriptions of how she held her head while having these visions. It's a very interesting theory.

[annettemalet]

Ms Mae you have opened a new world for me. I have enjoyed art all of my life yet I didn't know the history of these paintings. Thank you for the enrichment.

[rlorendean]

As you enter the Temple of Apollo there are two sayings written in the stone, the greek words for "know thyself" and "nothing in excess". I always thought that was kinda cool.

[trishnachatterjee]

I love the peace and trance like energy in the painting . My favourite part is the fumes coming out of the cracks

[icansia-yk]

my grandparents has her hung up! My grandfather used to say that the fumes (which I thought was smoke )under her was because she broke wind. I love this painting so much and this video explains in depth with what I already know!

[ch-arts-us]

i love how the floor is just underpainting with careful brushwork. and one one grey line for the smoke to have depth. its so simple but so hard.

[mothman]

I've had the priviledge of seeing this painting in real life at the AGSA in Adelaide. It's absolutely beautiful, and was incredible up close. I gasped when I saw it. Waterhouse's "Circe Invidiosa" is next to it, and they make an amazing pair.

[SpawnfLoki-lo]

I love Delphi, I love all stories that she's in, she's one of my favorite greek mythology figures

[nensi]

Have you been to Delphy... You should... It was bult in the small valley of mountains, ... Oon the height of around 600m... Incredibly, how many small shrines are built one to another, on the levels... So you go up, passing yhem, steping toward one healing water spring, in the rock of the mountain wall, ... but now, sadly, it is dried, and only the bare ruins of once magical place... Now it is the beauty of natural mountain scenery around, and one newly build museum, with astonishing artefacts...found from the cite, especially sculptures... 🕊️✨🙌...

[dimitrioslykissas]

The working theory is that frequent tectonic activity allowed a steady stream of acetylene gas to seep through the stone and accumulate inside the inner sanctum, the "avaton", that was built below the rest of the temple, instead of in the back (as was normal). Of they really made a career of huffing hydrocarbons, they must have had a hell of a head all lf the time.

[moon.]

i love the song choice for this, lilith by saint avangeline. the album this song is from is pretty good, the artist makes wlw songs and heavily bases her music on lana del rey's music and makes covers of lana songs but made wlw ^_^

[Damstaplereater]

I did research on the oracle for my oratory speech, and it was lowkey funny. the oracle basically got high all day sat on he stool. the oracle was only open was a week(I think I could be wrong) and to find out if Apollo was willing to order prophecy's they poured water on a goat and if it shuddered that meant Apollo was down. Imagine coming from Africa to get a prophecy and you have to wait another week just because some goat was feeling cold.