In mythology, an Argive princess imprisoned by her father Akrisios. Zeus visits her in a shower of golden rain (interpreted in art as coins). She is cast adrift with her child Perseus in a chest, which is washed up on Seriphos.
Above left: Detail from an Athenian red-figure clay vase, about 450-440 BC. Boston, Museum of Fine Arts 03.792 © Boston, Museum of Fine Arts
Above right: Danae and the Shower of Gold. Detail from Athenian red-figure clay vase, about 500-450 BC. St. Petersburg, State Hermitage Museum ST1723 © State Hermitage Museum
