Mermaids

This picture by the Italian photographer Marco Glaviano of Michelle Hunziker doesn't quote one special painting but uses the topic of the mermaid, which was very popular in 19th century romantic painting. Not only this the whole photo resembles a painting.


To compare: "The waternymph" by the british painter Herbert James Draper (1860-1920)

The Three Graces

Sure three women together doesn't always refer to the Three Graces. But if they are in a certain pose and dressed in a classical style there can be no discussion.

The term "Three Graces" refers to three Greek goddesses of charm, beauty, and creativity. Or sometimes to Hera, Athena and Aphrodite. In European art they are one of the oldest topics.

Because it was a good excuse to paint three naked women the examples may be uncountable. So I want to present only two nice and typical ones.

This is by Lucas Cranach the Elder (1472–1553) a German Renaissance painter and from about 1535.

The second is by Charles-André van Loo (1705–1765) a French Rococo painter and from about 1763.

And the last one is by Annie Leibovitz and was the cover of Vanity Fair in April 2008.

In this case Leibovitz didn't make a quotation of a special painting, its more her own interpretation of the old art topic.