Abstract: The European myth of Pygmalion for a long time gave rise to multiple adaptations from authors and painters. After the turn of the 20th century, under the influence of feminist thought, related narratives changed. Galatea is no longer a passive creature, but a woman who escapes her master’s control. This article discusses the development of and variations on the myth until now, examining feminist retellings in light of scientific innovation and recent, worldwide, social developments.
