read is sexy @readissexy - Tumblr Blog

Apollo

At first glance, it looks like an ordinary cabin, but when hit by sunlight it looks as if it's made of solid gold, and gleams so much that it is difficult to look at.

ancientsstudies

Aphrodite

The inside of the cabin smells very heavily of perfume.

proserpinangel

pmamtraveller

THE CURSE OF THE LADY OF SHALOTT.

The Lady of Shalott is forbidden to look out of the window of her tower on the island of Shalott, which is near Camelot. She sits and watches the world go by through a mirror and create a tapestry of the things she sees reflected

The mirror is the only window to the outside world that the Lady has. She can only perceive it by reflection. It is the symbol of her separation and her blindness to the life around her

The Lady falls in love with the Sir Lancelot, who comes in the mirror. The spell is broken, and she sails for Camelot. She freezes to death in a storm

She finds a boat and sets off downstream, singing her last song. The boat bears her name, and she floats silently into Camelot, there to be found dead.

The Lady, in Camelot, is frozen in the boat. Her death is the natural result of breaking the curse and her inability to fit in the world beyond the tower

The Lady of Shalott has been painted by several Pre-Raphaelite artists, including William Holman Hunt and John William Waterhouse. Typically, these portrayals of the Lady emphasize her beauty and the sense of tragedy that surrounds her.

The Lady of Shalott thus reflects Victorian social restrictions on women's domesticity, chastity, and lack of desire. The poem can be seen as a social commentary on the expectations placed upon women during this time period.

pmamtraveller

THE TRAGIC FALL OF ICARUS

The story about Icarus is very ancient and belongs to Greek mythology. In it, Daedalus and his son Icarus tell of the flight away from the island of Crete with the help of feathers and wax applied to make the wings.

Daedalus was an extraordinary craftsman and he had an apprentice, Talus, who was young, eager and quite clever. Daedalus grew jealous of his apprentice, and, in envy, he pushed Talus off the Acropolis of Athens. For this crime, he was exiled from Athens and fled south, eventually finding employment with the Cretan king, Minos.

So Daedalus made wings for himself and for Icarus, by fixing feathers onto a frame with wax. He warned his son not to fly too high, for the wax might melt in the heat of the sun… and not to fly too low, for the spray from the sea might wet the feathers and weight them down.

The young man, Icarus, was so elated with the flying that he forgot the warning of his father. He rose higher and higher until the wax on his wings melted into the heat of the sun, and they collapsed and he fell into the sea.

Of course Icarus eventually drowned and Daedalus was left alone, his precious son lost forever. The sea he fell into was thereafter called the Icarian Sea and the island not far from it called Ikaria.

The myth of Icarus has usually been interpreted as a warning against the dangers of hubris and an example of the lack of balance and of the need for moderation. But it is equally an example of ambition, greed and the will of man to go beyond his given limits.

The myth of Icarus has been rendered in countless varieties of art and literature over centuries. In each version, we see the human desire to soar beyond our circumstances and the tragic cost of unbridled ambition that we often cannot control. These new versions will continue to be mesmerizing to viewers and provide creative inspiration for artists.

pmamtraveller

WORKS BY EGON SCHIELE

1/ Self-Portrait with Physalis (1912)

This self-portrait clearly reveals the intense gaze of Schiele and his introspective nature. It is also symbolic of his search for identity and bold style of expression. Here, one also finds physalis plants, which are the symbols of fertility and rebirth, motifs recurrent in his work.

2/ Seated Woman with Bent Knee (1917)

It is a supreme example of how Schiele depicted the human form but most especially the female figure. One of the unique artistic signatures of his style is the use of elongated limbs and contorted poses fighting against the conventions within works of beauty, instead rooting in raw emotion and psychological depth. This work reflects his exploration of sexuality and the human condition, themes that were central to his artistic vision.

3/ The Family (1918)

Done at a time of much personal turmoil, the painting depicted Schiele and his wife, Edith, with an unborn child. It epitomizes his temporary domestic happiness before his wife and unborn child died in the tragic 1918 influenza pandemic. This work is touching as it captures the fleeting moment of joy amidst Schiele's personal tragedy.

4/ Death and Maiden (1915)

It is one of his famous works, symbolizing his interest in mortality and the erotic. Schiele painted the skeletal figure of Death embracing the young woman as a representation of his fascination with death and the human form. It was influenced by the mortality he witnessed during World War I.

5/ Cardinal and Nun (1912)

This piece reflects Schiele's interest in the exploration of human relationships and the dualism of eroticism and spirituality. It juxtaposes the purity of the nun with the cardinal's intense gaze, challenging societal norms, and reflecting Schiele's interest in exploring the boundaries of human desire and repression.

6/ The Embrace (1917-1918)

This is probably the most intimate work by Schiele, depicting a couple in a passionate embrace. The entwined figures express both physical desire and emotional connection, reflecting the artist's complicated view on love. This work strikes the viewer with raw emotions and an unflinching presentation of eroticism.

7/ Portrait of Wally Neuzil (1912)

Wally Neuzil, the muse and lover of Schiele, depicted with great intensity and closeness. Neuzil is one of those people whom he often depicted in various roles, showcasing themes such as femininity, sexuality, and vulnerability. The portrait reflects Schiele's personal relationships and his interest in capturing the inner essence of his subjects.