ITAP 7 Production & Outcomes’ influences & reactions

ITAP 7 Production & Outcomes’ influences & reactions

Principle 1 Interpretation

The fairytale Beauty and the Beast is an old fable that has a surprising long history, its first incarnation is believed to have been The Golden Ass from the second century, yep that will make it quite old then. The tale has changed dramatically over years but the central premise appears to be overcoming difficulties and or expectations of a relationship, so that the couple can live harmoniously together as man and wife, which is quite an adult theme. 

The imagery I have found are from 1875 and 1935 and interestingly from a male and female illustrator, which adds a further dynamic to the interpretation. Anne Anderson’s image is quite intimate with the black background emphasises the scene it’s self. The beast, which utterly bestial, with grey scales, talons, razor sharp teeth, and huge pointed ears and nose, sits before the beauty fawning naked accept for a stout collar, which could be a metaphor that he can be tamed or a reference to a dog of war.

Beauty is depicted as young, elegant, and vulnerable, she sits flushed, pensive, and looks ready to escape the sly looking beast in a moment should the need arise. The scene alludes to grandeur through one ornate chair and a large bowl of fruit, thereby implying that material wealth is of less consequence in the tail.

I have found conflicting dates for the image but it is most likely to be 1935, after the First World War and during the depression. This could be the motivation for the ugliness of the beast, reflecting the worst of mans nature. The scene has a sexual tension that is provoked by beauty wearing a night gown, the dark, and the leering look from the beast. To me, it is a reflection of the true nature of the story of the preciousness of feminine virtue that has to overcome the true nature of man before the union of marriage.

Walter Cranes Illustration was published in 1875 and is loaded references from the Victorian period through the extensive furniture, tea service, and costumes that the beauty and the beast wear. It is spectacularly detailed even including ebony and ivory incrusted footstool that beauty is using. Anatomically the beast a human stature and countenance that is very relaxed, almost pompous looking, while he has cloven hooves sporting the most luxurious boots, and the head of a boar. Beauty seems well at ease, leaning forward towards the beast, and appears to be enjoying the civility of her surroundings and company. Her illustration is of a classical Greek styled beauty, which looks more womanly in all her finery than Anderson’s beauty.  

Crane’s work is bright and colourful and seems to reflect a scene of utter normality for the very affluent, which represents an imperialistic tone from the time, but devoid of emotion, save pomposity. Anderson’s illustration is almost the reverse, dark with minimal detail and loaded with emotion. This could be a reflection of trauma of the First World War, the austerity of the 1930’s, and the serious nature of marrying well, as shown from a woman’s perspective.

Jeez, and I thought it was a kids story.