Premium
Mythological figures in art and genetics: Current perspectives on cyclopia and chimerism
Author(s) -
Syrrou Maria,
Batistatou Anna,
Zoubouli Maria,
Pampanos Andreas
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
american journal of medical genetics part c: seminars in medical genetics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.419
H-Index - 101
eISSN - 1552-4876
pISSN - 1552-4868
DOI - 10.1002/ajmg.c.31893
Subject(s) - mythology , painting , cyclopia , chimera (genetics) , motif (music) , the imaginary , art , aesthetics , genealogy , literature , history , art history , biology , genetics , psychology , psychoanalysis , pregnancy , fetus , holoprosencephaly , gene
Mythical figures have been part of human cultural tradition for centuries, worldwide. Some of them were totally imaginary, others were likely inspired by individuals with malformation syndromes, while others are composites of parts of different species. Various artists have created works of art based on these mythical or hybrid beings, such as cyclops and chimeras. The plethora of representations of artworks in ancient, but also contemporary art (statues, paintings, illustrations, photographs, installations) is proof that they still continue to be a source of inspiration, although their rendering and interpretation have changed over time. Contemporary medical genetic knowledge has revealed the underlying pathogenesis and causative molecular basis of malformation syndromes and delineates the corresponding phenotypes. Today, many figures once viewed as mythical are reflected in living humans with medical diagnoses. Ancient terms that arose in mythology—cyclopia, chimera/ism, and others—live on in the medical literature.