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

[ducon007]

"The Murderer"
By Franz von Stuck.

 

[Eulalia]

Balthus 'La victime' 1938



(it's necessary to view full-size to notice what's at bottom right, otherwise the title's a bit of a mystery )

 

[ducon007]

Balthus 'La victime' 1938

View attachment 1367168

(it's necessary to view full-size to notice what's at bottom right, otherwise the title's a bit of a mystery )

I caught the dagger...!

 

[Eulalia]

I caught the dagger...!

That's right, and bloodstains on the bed. It's a strange picture, very dark (literally as well as figuratively)
I've seen critical discussions of it that don't even notice those details.

 

[ducon007]

That's right, and bloodstains on the bed. It's a strange picture, very dark (literally as well as figuratively)
I've seen critical discussions of it that don't even notice those details.

She looks more asleep than dead. And no visible wounds. A strange title for a strange painting, indeed!

 

[Eulalia]

She looks more asleep than dead. And no visible wounds. A strange title for a strange painting, indeed!

My reading is that she's had a head wound, that's where the blood is. And, without wanting to wallow in morbid detail, the blue tinge to her face and limbs does look to me like a recently dead person.

 

[captivecuties]

She looks more asleep than dead. And no visible wounds. A strange title for a strange painting, indeed!

Zoom into the face…looks like a dead stare to me.
It all figures.

 

[ducon007]

My reading is that she's had a head wound, that's where the blood is. And, without wanting to wallow in morbid detail, the blue tinge to her face and limbs does look to me like a recently dead person.

Zoom into the face…looks like a dead stare to me.
It all figures.

It's true! The devil hides in the details!

 

[ducon007]

"Martirio di Santa Agata"
By Saturno Butto.

 

[Naraku]

"Martirio di Santa Agata"
By Saturno Butto.

View attachment 1367828

St Agatha, martyred c231 in Sicily. She was tortured by having her breast torn with pincers. She was widely venerated and her torture has long been a popular subject with artists.
For some reason...

 

[Eulalia]

St Agatha, martyred c231 in Sicily. She was tortured by having her breast torn with pincers. She was widely venerated and her torture has long been a popular subject with artists.
For some reason...
View attachment 1367870View attachment 1367871View attachment 1367872View attachment 1367873

When really she just made nice iced buns ...

 

[ducon007]

St Agatha, martyred c231 in Sicily. She was tortured by having her breast torn with pincers. She was widely venerated and her torture has long been a popular subject with artists.
For some reason...
View attachment 1367870View attachment 1367871View attachment 1367872View attachment 1367873

When really she just made nice iced buns ...

View attachment 1368172

"Minne di Sant'Agata" or "Cassatella di Sant'Agata" is a traditional Sicilian pastry, made especially for Saint Agatha's Day.
Enjoy your meal!

 

[ducon007]

"St Elizabeth of Hungary's Great Act of Renunciation"
By Philip Hermogenes Calderon.

 

[ducon007]

The abduction of Freia by the Giants, by Arthur Rackham.
Illustration for "Das Rheingold" of Richard Wagner.

 

[ducon007]

"Krista II, an exercise in polarity"
Not sure about the title !
Artwork By Reuben Negron.

 

[ideneidenew]

St Agatha, martyred c231 in Sicily. She was tortured by having her breast torn with pincers. She was widely venerated and her torture has long been a popular subject with artists.
For some reason...
View attachment 1367870View attachment 1367871View attachment 1367872View attachment 1367873

My favourite

 

[ducon007]

"Gefallt sie Ihnen"
(Do you like her?)
By Hermann Vogel.

 

[Eulalia]

"Gefallt sie Ihnen"
(Do you like her?)
By Hermann Vogel.

View attachment 1373227

He likes her, no doubt, but looks like his heart might not be quite up to the challenge!

 

[ducon007]

He likes her, no doubt, but looks like his heart might not be quite up to the challenge!

In France, this is what happened to President Félix Faure and Cardinal Daniélou...

 

[PearReaper]

He likes her, no doubt, but looks like his heart might not be quite up to the challenge!

No, he does not! He just look's at this... this little, naked thing, which is standing naked, scarred and shivering. Nothing sexy in her... .

"I could whip her, I could use my cane" he said out loud.

"Naaah, wait for voluptuous women, you like them" - she said - "Don't waste your energy on those slim sluts" - she added in a bit of a paternalistic tone...