The original Greek myth was almost unknown in paintings until the mid-19th century, then, slightly changed, it became one of the most popular myths in paintings.
Lefebvre
More paintings with strange incongruities, this time from Arnold Böcklin’s Sirens to the Surrealism of Paul Nash.
Invented by Paracelsus and popularised in a novella, poems and plays, Ondine became popular in painting, then in 1962 in medicine.
Before we masked up for Covid, covering the face had connotations. Here they’re explored, from the niqāb and widow’s veil to the aversion that makes us voyeur.
From Venus covering herself with her hair, to combing through the hair for nits and lice. Artists include Botticelli, Rossetti and Degas.
Paintings of the death of Ophelia from 1889 to 1910, including works by Waterhouse, Odilon Redon, and others.
The Prix de Rome changed in the 19th century. Its subjects became more obscure, and its successes few and far between.
Three paintings within 5 years, usually claimed to be responses to the Dreyfus Affair. But one was much more about modern art and photography.
A goddess almost never painted, but her priestesses, the Vestal Virgins, were far more popular. A small selection, ending in one of Gêrome’s grandest arena paintings.
Paintings of women covering their faces in embarrassment by Murillo, Gérôme, Corinth, and others.
The Eclectic Light Company 