Creating most of his paintings nearing the end of the Symbolist Movement (1905-1914), Gustav-Adolph Mossa used women of classical myth such as harpies, sirens, and even Pandora as subjects for quite a few of his paintings. These paintings display a very over-the top and illustrious view of the Victorian Era, while simultaneously evoking an air of subversion.
It is interesting to me why women are portrayed so perversely in general by many male artists. While man is inherently always portrayed as flawed, women seem to hold a special level of nefariousness. Maybe the painter was rejected by women his whole life or slowly dying of a broken heart? This leads me to the conclusion that women must drive men to an unimaginable level of self torture. Or maybe we are just prettier to paint? Personally I blame it on Eve. Yep, it’s all her fault.
{images: google}
