Consulting The Oracle

Waterhouse again, sorry but I loves him. 'Consulting The Oracle' (1884) is all rich colour, drama and exoticism. The scene depicts seven young women eagerly waiting to hear their priestess relay a message from the oracle. What is this 'oracle'? I hear you ask. Well, hold your horses I'm coming to that... jeez.. some people.


John Willy Waterbed exhibited the painting with the following note:

"The Oracle or Teraph was a human head, cured with spices, which was fixed against the wall, and lamps being lit before it and other rites performed, the imagination of diviners was so excited that they supposed that they heard a low voice speaking future events."

So, you see, the ladies are all being held in suspense by a spicy fortune-telling pickled bonce. Not so pretty now, huh!? This isn't surprising considering the artist's interest in the macabre and disturbing themes of the occult. There was even speculation that he was a member of a secret mystical group... yeh I can totally see the guy rocking up to the Midnight Society's bonfire to tell a spooky PG-13 rated ghost story.

There is a dramatic tension in the painting which I really like. You can feel the ladies' anticipation, it's etched all over their faces. This was like the X Factor finals for these bee-atches. Some critics cited this emotional display as the reason for their dislike of the piece. Apparently the "open mouths" were considered "most unladylike". But the vogue for Orientalism in art at the time meant the work was somewhat of a hit anyway. So suck on that, prudes!

I chose the lady in the foreground for my picture, because I loved the colours and draping of her clothes, and her ambiguous facial expression. Also... the side-boob. Everyone loves a side-boob.
 

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