with love, the lunatic of etretat

A perfect piece for the month of November and Scorpio season.
Especially since it’s said that people born during this astrological period have an intense glance. BUT MA’AM?! I need you to stare somewhere else because my unpredictable Sagittarius ass will not have it, thank yew.

Hugues Merle, ’The lunatic of Etretat’ (1871)

When I first saw this painting, I noticed her tearful, red eyes and her pose. The way her body is positioned suggests to me that she is protecting someone.. or something. I tried it out for myself and it was not comfortable. And I remember saying it out loud that she’s just a mother protecting herself and her baby but exactly where is the baby because, that ain’t it.

Because why is she cradling a log? Why is she sitting by a well? Barefoot during the autumn season? Isn’t she cold? And why is she staring at me like that? Or is she staring at me?

She comes across as extremely tense and protective of something, someone and/or herself. Maybe even all of the above? What happened to her baby? Was there a baby? Is there a baby only in her imagination? Is there a war going on in which she lost her child?

At first glance I thought, who the hell is this crazy lady?
But the more you pay attention to the painting and its details, the more you symphatize with her. How would you react if you saw this visibly deranged and agonized woman in real life?

At the end of the day, this painting is overwhelmingly fascinating and eye-catching, no pun intended. So many questions that needs to be answered. But at the same time, I don’t want my questions answered since I love and appreciate the mystery of it all.

If you wish to learn more: Art Deco – You can’t unsee this painting (video)

Other paintings I’ve written about: Lover of art (Category)
Portrait of a black woman
Fallen angel
The swing
Birth of Venus
The unequal marriage