All that live must die, passing through nature to eternity.
– Shakespeare, from Hamlet
Category: art
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XIII Death
Medieval Scapini Tarot -
The Powers of Medusa’s Head
When the blood dripped from Medusa’s head onto the plains of Libya, each drop of blood transformed into venomous serpents. The power of Medusa’s head is seen again when Perseus encountered the Titan Atlas. When Perseus asked Atlas for a place to rest for a short while, his request was refused. Knowing that he would not be able to defeat the Titan with brute force alone, he took out Medusa’s head, and Atlas was turned into a mountain.
Head of Medusa by Peter Paul Rubens From The Real Story of Medusa: The Protective Powers From a Snake-Haired Gorgon
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The Fairies’ Changeling
Cigarette card from the Churchman Legends of Britain series,
early 20th centuryFrom LookAndLearn.com
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Dracula = bad blood
“Dracula” is literally translated in Gaelic as Drac Ullah, meaning bad blood. Despite the narrative being inspired by Romania, the author, Bram Stoker, was Irish.
Learn more about the Dracula legend on the Romania Tourism website.
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Medieval Macabre
* Isis gathering Osiris’ body parts *
Boccaccio, Des cas des nobles hommes et femmes
15th Century -
Horror Decor: Jessica Harrison’s Gruesome Ladies
My Mom loved Royal Doulton figurines when I was growing up, so they have a special appeal to me. You can imagine my delight when I first came upon the work of Jessica Harrison from the United Kingdom. She takes Royal Doulton figurines and revises them into gruesome ladies. Some are holding an internal organ or their entrails in their hands pulled out from their bodies. Others have chopped off limbs or are decapitated or nearly decapitated.
“Roberta” by Jessica Harrison, 2014 Visit Harrison’s online shop to see more of her work. She is selling prints of images of these pieces, so you can add one to your home.
The Devil's Muse 