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Reclaiming the Symbols?

Reclaiming the Symbols?. A Look at Victorian Art. Reinforcing the Symbols. The art that I looked at seemed, for the most part, to be reinforcing the feminine symbols. The women were all either weak or seemed to be alluring and seductive in a dangerous way.

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Reclaiming the Symbols?

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  1. Reclaiming the Symbols? A Look at Victorian Art

  2. Reinforcing the Symbols • The art that I looked at seemed, for the most part, to be reinforcing the feminine symbols. The women were all either weak or seemed to be alluring and seductive in a dangerous way. • A few examples stuck out that exhibited the traces of actual reclaiming symbols.

  3. “Helen” – Sir Edward John Poynter As exhibiting the infamous Helen of Troy, this piece seems to be portraying her less as a seductress and more as an innocent maiden. Her hand is over her heart and her cloak is fully covering her. It seems in this piece the woman is being put into the position of a helpless maiden, completely at the whim of Paris. Her gaze is almost fearful and the pose she takes is one of weakness.

  4. “Helen of Troy”- Rossetti • This Helen is distinctly different from the previous. • Use of red. • Fingering necklace. • Burning in background. • Sensuous lips and wavy hair; seductress.

  5. Women can be seductive; to completely dispense of all representations as such would be more destructive than beneficial. However, in the dual paintings of Helen of Troy, one is clearly portraying a different side than the other. • Perhaps rather than portray Helen as a seductress who beguiled Paris to take her, we can view her as a victim of abduction and kidnapping, not just “The face that launched a thousand ships”. Therefore, it is not her vain or greed that causes a war, rather the squabbles of men. • Personality of women is key.

  6. “Circe Offering the Cup to Ulysses” • Wand - Phallic, masculine symbol. • Cup - Feminine Symbol • Sheer fabric/clothing • Able to see naked body • Negative Symbolism: She who attracts to destroy. • Destroyer – Bones on floor?

  7. “Nymph and Satyr” • Nakedness – He is not fully but she is. • She is pressing him in closer to her. • He is looking at her nakedness; as if her nakedness is what is alluring him to her. • Seductress

  8. How to Reclaim • Femme Fatale: Nudity and clothing is one example of how a woman can control a man. Women as seductresses are portrayed as naked or alluring in sheer or revealing clothing. • Red lips, long wavy hair, elongated neck, and powerful stature are characteristic of the femme fatale.

  9. “The Delphic Oracle” • Reclaiming the Symbols: She is in perfect form, almost draws the viewer in with her attentive eyes. • Naked without being overtly sexual; powerful and proud. • She IS the Oracle.

  10. “A Pastoral” • He is in a position of comfort and stability, locking his arms around while she falls against him helplessly • Position of his and her hands, as well as their feet are very sensual and dance-like.

  11. “Ariadne” • She lies on a bed contemplating her future. • Helpless amidst the men who control her life. • Story of Theseus and she puts a sense of abandonment on the painting.

  12. “Penelope and the Suitors” • Shows woman as the loyal wife; while her husband is away she refuses all urges and denies the suitors and their gifts. • Taking her company with other women and doing womanly duties: sewing and such. • Back is turned: Is she ignoring the men or not facing temptation?

  13. The Weak Woman • Women are shown as defenseless and depicted as uncaring of their fates; rather, men decide what is to be done with them. • Key symbol: Andromeda • Reclaim through ACTION of women, not just contemplation.

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