In literature, painting or cinema, even in comic strips, I have always been attracted to what challenges, what disturbs or makes us ask questions.
Today it rains and often when there is a storm, it seems to have the night in daylight.
Having finished a presentation for my art class, I wanted to talk about painting and the atmosphere of today make me want to write a series of small articles on Pictures hiding a story.

Welcome to this virtual museum of the strange.

I’ve always loved the mythological fig of the Minotaur and I admire the painter who did this painting, but I would have preferred his story to tell us about cute unicorns and kittens! T.T

This beautiful painting was painted by George Frederick Watts in 1885
it represents the iconic figure of the Minotaur. Greek mythology tells that every year seven young men and seven young women were sent as sacrifices to the bull-headed man. The boat that took the unfortunate was leaving Athens and finishing its fatal crossing on the island of Crete. In this painting, the Minotaur is on a parapet that overhangs its labyrinth and watches for the arrival of sacrificed.

The painting itself is striking for the point of view it offers and the control of watts. But this work was done in one night by the artist after reading a tribune published the day before in the Pall Mall Gazette entitled: “Maiden tribute of modern Babylon. “.
This article discusses the scandal of child prostitution in the lowlands of the city of London. In his investigation, journalist William Steed speaks of the notables who exploits the innocence and misery of London’s youth. about them he will have his frightening sentences:

“The appetite of the London Minotaur is insatiable. If the common people are to be served as sweets offered to the passion of the rich, let them at least reach an age where they can understand the nature of the sacrifice they are asked to make. “

At stake is the age limit of sexual consent for English teenagers who will go from 13 to 16 years old this year.

Accustomed to passing moral messages in his painting, Watts will portray his hungry and sexed Minotaur, in reference to this article. In the monster’s fist a crushed bird symbolizes the innocence and purity of youth, stifled by bestiality and lust. Watts will later explain that his purpose with this painting had been to hold the beastly and brutal to the point of execration.
Mission accomplished George Frederick. By mixing such a serious social problem with such a powerful mythological figure, he gives an unparalleled dimension to his subject.

Well, now I’m going to look for videos of kittens.