In Greek mythology, Medea was a sorceress and spurned lover of Jason who went to desperate measures to get revenge. In this painting, Sandys has included the familiar iconograpy of Medea and Jason's story, such as the Golden Fleece and (one presumes) the Argo in the background, but the main focus of the painting is of Medea casting the spell which will begin her revenge. After the birth of their children Jason divorced Medea to marry Glauce. Here, we see Medea casting the spell which put a curse on the robe and coronet which she sent to her rival. The robe burst into flames when Glauce put it on, killing her, her father, and everyone else in the palace except Jason. Medea then murdered two of their children in front of him, which no doubt the distraction and fraughtness in Medea's appearance alludes to. 1925P105