A study on the interpretation of mythological elements in the art of painting

BARLAS, Sümeyye, A Study on the Interpretation of Mythological Elements in Painting, Master's Thesis, Malatya, 2025. 7/88 Mythology, emerging from humanity's existence in the universe, gained visual expression through cave paintings from the earliest ages and gradually evolved into a fundamental source guiding the art of painting. Throughout the historical progression of art up to the present day, mythology has established a coherent framework of thought, expressing itself through various objective narratives. Art and mythology have been intertwined in numerous studies and artworks, and this interdisciplinary interaction has laid the groundwork for new creative endeavors. The primary aim of this study is to examine and interpret the connection between mythology and art through an original perspective. This thesis consists of three main sections. The first section includes the introduction, problem statement, research questions, significance of the study, objectives, definitions, assumptions, limitations, and methodology. The second section explores the definitions of myth and mythology, the development and history of mythology, and mythological elements. The final section discusses art, painting, and the analysis of original paintings created within the scope of this thesis, incorporating mythological themes. Throughout the research, relevant sources were reviewed, and nine original paintings were produced from the perspective of mythological thought and belief systems. These works used nature-inspired photographs as references, integrating natural elements such as leaves, water, and trees with mythological themes and rendering them in oil on canvas. This study is expected to contribute to the discourse on the relationship between humans, mythology, and art by providing a visual resource that supports theoretical and interpretive discussions. Key words: Myth, Mythology, Art, Element.