The Three Brides by Jan Toorop
This monochrome painting shows three states of the soul. The first on the far left is an innocent bride in a Madonna-like pose, who has dedicated her life to God. Contrast her spirituality and lack of sexuality with the other two brides. The one in the middle dedicated herself to earthly and profane love. The one on the far right, whose looks appear to be influenced by Egyptian art, is Satanic. Her attachment to carnal pleasures and material possessions are symbolized by her evil facial look and the string small skulls around her neck.
The handmaidens in the foreground bring bells and lilies, and there’s a bed of thorns on which the scene is set. Collectively, this painting aggregates common Symbolist elements that associate women with dangerous sensuality, sin and death.
Learn to identify characteristics of Symbolist art