So I was going to do a Medici Cycle
post, the series which has lain dormant for over a year now like a hibernating
grizzly bear, waiting for the opportunity to emerge from the cavernous depths
and claw your eyes out in a rage of colorful brushstrokes and curvaceous women. But when I was searching for a good copy of
the next painting in the story, I got distracted by this other work by Rubens.
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The
Feast of Venus – Peter Paul Rubens, 1636-37 (Source)
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The Feast of Venus – everyone frolicks
about, worshipping and adoring a statue!
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| …Although I must say, for the Goddess of Love and Beauty, I think she could use some sleep and maybe a facial. |
There is the obligatory sexytime going on
around the fringes…
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| So sexy. |
…and some couples making out that I really
wish weren’t.
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| Brings new meaning to breathily whispering “Oh, baby.” |
Not all of the revelers look happy to be
there, however.
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| Run for your life! |
I’m not sure whether she’s just tripped and
is in the process of falling, or if she is about to plunge her hand into that
tambourine and rip out its heart.
Most of the baby-cupids are pretty involved
in the naked frolicking, but some of them have better things to do.
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| Glad I’m not the only one who feels like I need a cold shower after seeing this. |
I’m not sure whether he’s rinsing off in
the waterfall or vomiting. Either way,
it’s been a wild party.
While many of the cupids have interesting
expressions on close inspection, this one has to be my favorite.
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| Emperor Palpatine, Age 2. |
If I were at this gathering I would not
stand under the floral display he's holding. And
would have someone else taste everything before me. And would bring a taser.
I think these remarkably clothed women
missed the memo about what kind of a party this was going to be.
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| So when you said there might be toys involved, you didn’t mean dollies? |
They try to tempt the wee ones to purity
and wholesomeness with their offer of 17th-century Barbies, but the
kids are all, “Screw that! We’re busy
with naked dancing.”
Finally, the most disturbing detail of this
picture is tucked away at the bottom, amidst the flowers and fruit strewn about
everyone’s feet.
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It
wouldn’t be a proper orgy without a bit of head, I guess.
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Why is an old man’s head, empty eye sockets
staring soullessly, lying around at a rollicking celebration of Venus??
Oh wait, I think I have the answer to that.
There's so much (chubby) going on in this painting that I never realized. Of course Infant Willem Dafoe is disturbing, but the old man's head? Chilling. I should not have read/seen this post before bed. Can we retroactively arrest Rubens for the rampant child porn? Why are all the kids nude!?! I have you to thank for my insomnia this night.
ReplyDeleteRubens seems to have been into some kinky stuff overall. But the really worrying things is that odds are, someone commissioned him to paint this. And then had it proudly displayed in their abode somewhere. Hopefully not the boudoir.
DeleteThat old man was definitely the main course: The apples they stuffed him with are leaking out and I'm not sure the fish will be keen on the leftovers. I like the way the fleshy white-skinned woman is looking at us even as the lecherous sunburnt peasant is about to taste her. They understood dogging needs voyeurs even in those days.
ReplyDeleteMaybe that's how they maintained beauty through the feast of Venus! A ritual sucking the life out of a young person and consuming the flesh. That man was actually 14.
DeleteAre they Barbies? Or very very tiny orgy people?
ReplyDeleteI think the scared lady is so much scared, she's just that girl at the frat party who had too much and stands on the back of the couch screaming party slogans before she passes out and face plants. She always looks a little scared before that last disastrous rally.
You're right. Even the ancestors of the Borrowers must have longed to partake in the delights of big-people festivals. It's kind of those women to bring them along, although I worry about their fate in such a gathering.
DeleteAnd I like your interpretation of the other woman - I can just hear her chanting "WOOOO! Vee-NUS, Vee-NUS, Vee....nuhhhhhhh" *splat*
Where can I buy this painting? It's making me feel si festive. It should definitely make an appearance in the new Star Wars trilogy. You're so right. And why would a Goddess of Love feel the need show up butt naked at a party and then act prudish when someone wants to paint her? It's all very confusing.
ReplyDelete