Belladonna in Green

This piece is a reflection of the beautiful but deadly variety. It was inspired by some of the unusual practices of the Victorian era, conducted in the name of fashion and beauty. The first would be her lovely green dress. It may seem surprising, but one of the green dyes of that time era actually contained arsenic. (Poisonous to both the wearer and even more so the maker.) Another feature included are popular toxic plants used during that time, most notably the Belladonna flower. Also known as deadly nightshade, ladies would have used it to enlarge their pupils, which they felt made them more attractive. (Interestingly, this ingredient is still sometimes utilized by optometrists for eye exams.) In addition, arsenic and other toxins readily available back then became a devious method of using poisons against their foes. (Thus reflected in the shadowy eyes hiding in the dress folds.)

Medium: oil on wood panel

Frame: vintage, oval gold wood (has some minor chips/wear)

size: art 9.5 x 21, with frame 14 x 25 inches (last pic shows hand for scale)

She is the first in a series of Victorian lady images I’m creating, for use in a set of my prints and of note cards series.