Lamia John William Waterhouse (1849-1917)

In this painting, titled Lamia, a distressed woman with long, flowing red hair kneels before a man in full knights armor. The woman, clad in a pale pink, draped gown adorned with a decorative blue and gold sash, gazes pleadingly up at the knight. Her hands are clasped, resting on his knee as if begging for something. The knight, with his head bowed and looking down at her, appears conflicted or perhaps regretful. His armor is intricately detailed, gleaming even in the dim, verdant forest setting. A sword is planted upright to the left of the woman, and a helmet rests near the knights knee, suggesting he is either preparing for battle or has just returned from one. The background is a dense, dark forest with hints of green foliage and trees.

The subtexts of the painting revolve around themes of love, duty, sacrifice, and perhaps temptation or deception. The title itself, Lamia, refers to a figure from Greek mythology, a beautiful woman who was cursed by Hera to eat children. Later interpretations often portray Lamia as a seductive monster, a femme fatale who preys on men.

Considering this context, the painting could be interpreted in several ways:

• The conflict between love and duty: The knight might be torn between his affections for the woman and his knightly obligations, such as a quest or marriage to someone suitable.
• Temptation and downfall: The woman, possibly representing Lamia, could be luring the knight away from his path or duty with her beauty and allure. His bowed head could signify succumbing to temptation.
• Tragedy and loss: The scene might depict a tragic parting, where the knight is forced to leave the woman he loves, or perhaps the woman is pleading for his return from a dangerous journey. The presence of weapons and armor underscores the potential for conflict and sorrow.
• A supernatural element: The title strongly suggests an underlying supernatural aspect. The womans intense, pleading gaze and her delicate appearance contrasted with the knights imposing armor could hint at a deceptive disguise, with the true, monstrous nature of Lamia lurking beneath. The forest setting further enhances a sense of mystery and the uncanny.

Ultimately, the painting invites the viewer to ponder the emotional turmoil and the potential narrative unfolding between these two figures, colored by the ominous implication of the title.