Antigone by Marie Spartali Stillman (Interpretation and Analysis)

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Antigone

The artists of the Pre-Raphaelite movement are often known as the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. However, in actuality, female artists and writers were essential to the success of the movement. While many people know about the contributions that female writers such as Christina Rossetti made to the movement, the work of female painters is less well-known, it is equally important.

Marie Spartali Stillman was one of the most productive artists of the movement. Born in England, Stillman was the descendent of a Greek family. She began her artistic career as a model for members of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood but quickly became an artist in her own right. Like other Pre-Raphaelite artists, Stillman was inspired by Medieval and mythological subjects. Her style was meticulous and detail oriented, with special emphasis on the beauty of the natural world.

Antigone is one of her finest paintings. The piece depicts a scene from the Greek tragedy Antigone. Here, we see the heroine—Antigone herself—mourning her brother Polynices, who lies dead on a windswept rock in a barren landscape. In the play, King Creon of Thebes decrees that Polynices is not to be buried or even mourned; yet, Antigone, knowing that this violates the laws of the gods, chooses to defy this order. Here, Stillman paints Antigone mourning her brother in company with another woman (either a maid or her sister, Ismene). Polynices’ body is pecked at by crows while Antigone raises a hand to brush the birds away. Emotion is painted into each brushstroke.

It is a moving, yet distressing scene, conveying Antigone’s deep despair and pain. This emotional reality and vulnerability creates a memorable and beautiful piece of art.

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