Back in the 1870’s, when everyone was quite “Victorian,” Sir Edward John Poynter painted what’s often called, the “finest nude” in England. It‘s a depiction of Andromeda chained to a rock waiting for a sea monster to devour her. Sotheby’s hopes the painting will devour $800,00 when it goes on the block in London next week.
Many artists of the day tried their hand at Andromeda’s plight because, according to Sotheby’s catalog, “The classical origins of the story were used as a pretext for sexually charged nudity, making the erotic overtones acceptable.” For whatever reason, Sir Poynter painted a number of naked women. The themes came from the classics, but he used live models.
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