Franz Stuck
Franz Stuck was 1900's artist that was inspired by Arnold Bocklin, a painter who focus more on his subject than how he painted it. Stuck's subjects, however, were not only concerned with subject, but of the color and lighting. His main subject matter is something quite shocking for his time- he portrays females as strong individuals, either against or corrupting men, while still keeping their feminine attributes- and nude.
Among his women is Judith, the infamous widow who seduces and beheads Holofernes. He paints her nearly three times, but the finished project is my absolute favorite. Judith, who at first simply looks like a smiling, dainty young lady. Then, your eyes move to her heavy sword, and her smile is more chilling as you follow her eyes to the victim on his bed.
The Second piece is a continuation of the first, where Judith's servant carries the head away. In past paintings we either see this servant carry the head by herself, or accompanied by Judith herself, with looks of worry. But here, Franz shows Judith in a state of bliss, appearing to be dancing without worry.
Next is his depiction of Adam and Eve, and how Eve tricked Adam into eating the Apple. In biblical stories we see the men being the strongest, the men over powering the women. So how come Franz's Eve looks so much stronger than Adam? The background around her is paler than the colors around Adam, As Adam leans back, he seems to shrink into the dark surrounding him. Eve had her hand firmly on her hip, the other extended threateningly with the apple clutched in the snakes jaws. Eve smirks at Adam. We can see Eve's face, but Adam's has shadows cast, his eyes and lips undefined. This peice doesn't depict the foolish Eve we all know, no, this is the Eve that knew exactly what she was doing. The Eve that believed that she was created by a God high and mighty, and had the strength to bring his world crumbling down.
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