Erotic helplessness : a study of the history of the Damsel in Distress theme in art

[Loxuru]

Which is worse? ...the hanged maiden or the ones watching knowing their time is soon to come...

She is not hanged for death, but strung up under her armpits. So perhaps, she will be the spectator of the dragon's meal while staying out of harm herself (hoping she will not be lowered before the dragon's stomach will be satisfied).

 

[cruxlover]

She is not hanged for death, but strung up under her armpits. So perhaps, she will be the spectator of the dragon's meal while staying out of harm herself (hoping she will not be lowered before the dragon's stomach will be satisfied).

Yes, in ancient times the dragon was referred to as "The Great Worm".
In Wales we have the "Great Orme" at Llandudno and "Worms Head" in the Gower further south.
In both cases as the headland was thought to resemble a dragon asleep in the sea, which is what they do, obviously.Worms head Rhosilli, Gower

 

[coldturkey]

Yes, in ancient times the dragon was referred to as "The Great Worm".
In Wales we have the "Great Orme" at Llandudno and "Worms Head" in the Gower further south.
In both cases as the headland was thought to resemble a dragon asleep in the sea, which is what they do, obviously.View attachment 1291187Worms head Rhosilli, Gower View attachment 1291185

I have very fond memories of the hike to the end of Worms head... Thanks for the beautiful reminder !

 

[ducon007]

Or @Eulalia

But our Eul is not a myth! She is quite real (I think...)!

 

[ducon007]

This one is signed, but I can't figure out the name of the artist.
Witch torture ? Inquisition scene ?

 

[Loxuru]

This one is signed, but I can't figure out the name of the artist.
Witch torture ? Inquisition scene ?


View attachment 1291216

"You cooperated with the inquisitioner, confessed to be a heretic, and gave names of others! You shall not be delivered to civil justice! But you shall wear the mark of your former heresy for the rest of your life, burned in your skin!"

 

[coldturkey]

This one is signed, but I can't figure out the name of the artist.
Witch torture ? Inquisition scene ?


View attachment 1291216

Apparently this is the work of an early twentieth century Hungarian...

 

[ducon007]

Famous, very famous masterpieces by Francisco Goya!
But Goya is Goya.
So I don't hesitate to post them!

 

[ducon007]

Artwork untitled of Tadé (Tadeusz) Styka, Polish painter (1889-1954)

 

[coldturkey]

Józef Marian Deskur, The Princess of Darjabar in the Power of a Corsair (Illustration for The Tale of a Princess of Darjabar from The Tale of Chudadad and His Brothers), 1899

 

[ducon007]

...The Tale of a Princess of Darjabar from The Tale of Chudadad and His Brothers), 1899

A tale from 1001 Nights ?

 

[coldturkey]

A tale from 1001 Nights ?

It would seem so. It is categorized as such on Wikimedia... Two more on the corsair theme (I believe I already posted one, but this version is of better quality)...

 

[coldturkey]

A witch preparing to toast...

 

[coldturkey]

Today's discovery...

 

[ducon007]

A witch preparing to toast...

To toast or to roast...?

 

[coldturkey]

A captive before an oriental potentate (found this morning)...

 

[ducon007]

"The Rock of Doom", by Edward Burne-Jones (1888).
More or less the myth of Andromeda and Preseus.
And the lady doesn't really seem to be in chains...

 

[happyribbed]

And this drawing by Fortunino Matania (used on the cover of 1958 book by Daniel P. Mannix, Those about to Die), of a female martyr about to be quartered, properly attired in her flower costume. I love her gaze, how she seems almost to pity her future tormentors...

Just stumbled about this thread in this great forum.

An amazing array of art, and quite a lot new to me.

This drawing is not new to me but I am amazed every time I see it posted. She appears to be brave enough to have her limbs tied to the animals without resisting. Still, her face shows signs of fear and remorse.

How strong are the animals, how skilful the executioner?

Will the first tugs be careful? Cautiously testing the strength of her tendons first? Then, slowly and systematically, dislocating her joints? Elbows, shoulders, knees, hips?

How long will she have to suffer until her limbs are torn out and she is allowed to bleed to death?

 

[Harsh Martinet]

And this drawing by Fortunino Matania (used on the cover of 1958 book by Daniel P. Mannix, Those about to Die), of a female martyr about to be quartered, properly attired in her flower costume. I love her gaze, how she seems almost to pity her future tormentors...

Such a waste!

 

[coldturkey]

View attachment 1292340
Just stumbled about this thread in this great forum.

An amazing array of art, and quite a lot new to me.

This drawing is not new to me but I am amazed every time I see it posted. She appears to be brave enough to have her limbs tied to the animals without resisting. Still, her face shows signs of fear and remorse.

How strong are the animals, how skilful the executioner?

Will the first tugs be careful? Cautiously testing the strength of her tendons first? Then, slowly and systematically, dislocating her joints? Elbows, shoulders, knees, hips?

How long will she have to suffer until her limbs are torn out and she is allowed to bleed to death?

Thanks for the compliment @happyribbed ! I am on holidays for the next two weeks so posting on this thread will slow down, but I will be back soon