This illustration by Walter Crane depicts a bearded king in an orange tunic adorned with gold, surrounded by gold objects, including the wall decor, sofa, plates and cutlery, in the room he sits in as he holds what appears to be a gold statue of a girl.
This scene is part of a well-known Greek myth about Midas, the greedy king of Phrygia, whose story is told by Ovid in Metamorphoses XI. In search for the satyr Silenus, the wine god Dionysus was found by Midas, who generously hosted him. In exchange for his hospitality, Silenus granted Midas a wish, and the greedy Midas requested that anything he touches turns to gold. Although he initially rejoiced, Midas started to regret his wish when his food turned into gold.
Nathaniel Hawthorne’s retelling of the golden touch myth in his 1851 children's book A Wonder-Book for Girls and Boys, for which Crane illustrated, portrays another scene in which Midas comforted his daughter Marygold, who was upset that the roses in the palace garden had turned gold and thus lost their fragrance, until his touch made her turn into gold as well.
Crane’s illustration gives life to Hawthorne’s retelling of the myth that warns his readers against greed.
The painting represents a moral allegory of greed.
The background of the painting is full of wealth and opulence, everything seems to be embellished in gold, even the king Midas himself. However, his wealth turns to dust when he turns his own daughter into a lifeless statue of gold.
According to the legend, King Midas had been granted a wish by Dionysus to turn everything he touches into gold. The wish had been one that King Midas, despite his immense wealth, had asked of Dionysus. Once granted his wish, he had enjoyed turning every lifeless object into gold. However, once his food, drink and then his own daughter turned into gold, he became a lesson on greed and avarice.
