More than the squirmy, writhing villains they're often made out to be on TV, snakes are an important part of many different ecosystems around the world. The serpent, or snake, is also one of the oldest and most widely found symbols in art and ancient mythology.
Often worshiped in ancient cultures as symbols of the duality of good and evil, snakes were also used to represent fertility in various religious ceremonies as well as ancient art.
From sculptural representations to modern painting and photography, the snake is still a beloved subject. What is it about these creatures that artists find so compelling? Perhaps it's the way they move - armless, legless, wingless, yet somehow exceedingly graceful - like a liquid spine.
