Many artists liked to depict various frivolous subjects in their paintings, since they were usually more in demand, and each painting not only had to be painted, but also had to be sold. However, it was necessary to observe the requirements of decency; to paint anything openly meant to incur the wrath of conservative critics, clergymen, and other guardians of morality, and so it would not take long to get into serious trouble. Therefore, artists used various symbols and veiled details, and their paintings resembled a kind of rebus, which viewers liked to solve, trying to find various obscene hints behind the seemingly decent action.
George Waiters Romantic Garden Scene
In the painting by George Waiters, for example, a young man from a noble family is depicted sitting freely on a bench with his cane on the table. But its end points directly at a pretty girl sitting opposite, and there is no doubt that this is not without reason. The cane was generally a symbol of courage and male dignity, and it is no coincidence that the man in the painting by Karl Schweininger Jr. has placed it between his legs, clearly indicating that he is not averse to developing a relationship and can certainly pleasantly surprise his girlfriend in bed at night.
Karl Schweininger Jr. Date
Even the Pre-Raphaelite Millais could not resist the temptation to capture obscene innuendo. His painting "Lorenzo and Isabella" is based on Keats' poem "Isabella, or the Pot of Basil". A girl from a noble family fell in love with a commoner. Her brothers found her relationship unacceptable and killed the unfortunate lover. The girl hid the head of the murdered youth in a pot, and so that no one would guess its terrible contents, she planted basil on it.John Everett Millais. Isabella (Lorenzo and Isabella)
However, critics were much more confused by the image of one of the brothers in the foreground of the painting. Well, if the leg stretched forward can still be seen as an attempt to kick the dog - artists love spectacular poses - then the shadow of the nutcracker was completely suspicious. And the fallen salt shaker with salt only made them worse.
Jan Vermeer "Girl with a Letter at the Window"
In this painting by Jan Vermeer, a girl reads a letter, the contents of which Vermeer depicts with the help of an overturned plate of fruit. The apple has always been a symbol of the forbidden fruit, of pleasure and the joys of love. So this is probably a message from her lover, and not a very decent one at that.
Gerrit Dou "Girl Chopping Onions"
At first glance, this painting by Gerrit Dou looks like modesty itself, but it is not that simple. The fallen objects symbolize the loss of innocence, and there is also an empty birdcage in the background. In 17th-century Holland, the word "vogel", which means bird, also meant intimacy. And it is probably about an unhappy love or a betrayed girl who is probably suffering and shedding tears; it is no coincidence that the artist depicted her peeling onions.
Metsu, Gabriel "The Hunter's Gift"
Knowledge of symbols in Dutch society facilitated relations between the sexes. And in this picture, the visiting hunter has clearly killed the bird for a reason and is waiting for an appropriate reward. And the woman is generally not against it, it was not by chance that she took off her shoes, which meant consent. Maybe it is his wife who is happy that her husband did not return empty-handed, or maybe it is a good friend who does not mind diversifying her menu. In any case, she is a rather wealthy lady and does not need money, as the rich, by 17th century standards, furnishings in the house indicate.Vincenzo Cabianca "The Courtship of a Gentleman"
Flowers were also a symbol of love relationships, especially when it came to roses. Much depended on their location in the picture in relation to the characters, if somewhere around the waist or slightly lower, then the hint became clearer than ever.Georg Kugler "The Nun"
Well, the rose that fell to the ground is a loss of chastity, and the girl is probably not yet married. This picture shows the logical consequence of such a "sin" when it comes to the offspring of noble families - going to a convent is obviously not of their own free will and not because of fervent religiosity. And here one can only sympathize with such "unwilling nuns": sensual memories and hot blood do not give rest at night, and religious chants cannot replace the sweetness of lovemaking.Louis-Leopold Boilly "Intimate Toilet"
This is not all there is to love symbolism in painting; in the next article we will try to tell you about other intimate symbols in the paintings of famous artists.
Master of obscene drawings. The short but intense life of Aubrey Beardsley.
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