Medea is an oil painting on panel created by Frederick Sandys in 1868. The work presents a half-length figure of a woman identified as Medea, a character from Greek mythology, shown in a richly detailed interior setting. The painting dates from the later period of the Pre-Raphaelite movement, with which Sandys was closely associated. The central figure is depicted with dark, flowing hair, adorned with elaborate jewelry and draped in a pale, voluminous garment.

She holds a cup in her right hand, pouring its contents into a shallow brazier from which flames rise. On the table before her are various objects, including a toad, a statuette, and a shell, suggesting elements of magic or alchemy. The background features a gold surface with stylized trees, a ram’s head, birds, and a sailing ship, rendered in a decorative, almost tapestry-like manner.

The composition is marked by meticulous attention to texture and detail, with a strong contrast between the luminous gold ground and the naturalistic modeling of the figure. Medea reflects the Pre-Raphaelite interest in mythological and literary subjects, as well as the movement’s characteristic use of vivid color, precise detail, and symbolic objects.