Another Mythical Monster chalked off the list, this time it's a Harpy
Harpy - Julie Guthrie (SKU 77041)
 |
| Harpy by Julie Guthrie |
Julie Guthrie does it again with another wicked sculpt. The last time I painted a Harpy was 30+ years ago when I painted the one from the Citadel C18 Night Horrors line. Judging from the mini I believe this might have been sculpted by Aly or Trish Morrison.
 |
| Citadel C18 Harpy |
You can tell that things have moved on both technically and aestetically in the last 30 years. This is a much more interesting less cartoony sculpt and doesn't have the classic overblown features or the flattop haircut. In particular I love the inclusion of the half demonic wings which give this mini a sense of the evil rather than just being some half human half chicken monster.
Harpy Mythology
Probably the most famous Harpy story is that of King Phineas of Thrace who was granted the gift of prophecy by Zeus until he gave away the Gods secret plan. Zeus blinded him and then left him alone on an island but tormented him with Harpies who would steal all the banquet food the Gods left him. This is most famously depicted in the movie Jason and the Argonauts (1963) where Phineas is played by the second Doctor Who Patrick Troughton.
Needless to say Jason fights off the Harpies and saves Phineas who then tells them how to pass through the clashing rocks (Symplegedes) further angering the Gods.
