Ser una harpía

TO BE A HARPY

Name: The Persecution of the Harpies

Author: Peter Paul Rubens

Date: 1636-1637

Medium: Oil on panel

Location: Prado Museum

A harpy is a nasty and horrible being, partly woman and partly vulture.

The bottom half of the body and the wings are vulture-like, the chest and the face are women-like. Their hair is thick, hard and matted, as a mop, and they have rotten teeth. They do not usually wear clothes and always stink. They become so dirty by infecting others with their claws.

Their loud speech is annoying. But, they can sing lovely, a magic singing. Whoever listens to their song is bewitched.

They like to disturb other creatures and animals, but they are coward, above all if they are alone. They usually escape easily from their enemies. They are able to track their enemies for a long distance.

Name: The Persecution of the Harpies

(The Harpies prosecuted by Gethes and Calays)

Author: Erasmus Quellinus II

Date: 1630

Medium: Oil on canvas

Location: Prado Museum

Their homes are deep and dirty caves where they store their treasures. The cave hosts are ten harpies. 

Name: Aeneas and his Companions Fighting the Harpies

Author: François Perrier

Date: 1646-1647

Medium: Oil on canvas

Location: Louvre Museum

Name: Harpy

Medium: Statuette. Detail of a Fountain.

Location:  Fountain of the Boy with a Thorn,

 Island Garden, Aranjuez, Spain.