lrs Cassels Jean Mantas Maria Jean Cassels

The artwork presents a figure posed in a manner reminiscent of traditional portraiture, yet fundamentally disrupted by its unsettling hybridity. Here we see a woman, formally dressed in a dark, high-necked gown with lace detailing and adorned with jewelry – a pearl necklace and bracelets – but whose head is that of an insect, specifically resembling a mantis. The meticulous rendering of the clothing contrasts sharply with the detailed depiction of the insectoid features: multifaceted eyes, antennae extending from beneath a floral hat, and mandibles subtly visible.
The background consists of a richly patterned wallpaper in shades of red and black, contributing to a sense of opulence and confinement. A glimpse of an ornate chair is visible on the left side, further reinforcing the impression of a formal setting. The lighting is dramatic, highlighting the figure’s face and upper body while casting portions of the background into shadow.
The subtexts within this work are layered and potentially unsettling. The combination of human elegance with insect anatomy suggests a commentary on societal expectations, perhaps critiquing notions of beauty or decorum through their jarring juxtaposition. The mantis, known for its predatory behavior and unusual mating rituals, introduces themes of deception, power dynamics, and the subversion of natural order.
The formal portrait style, typically associated with status and respectability, is undermined by the figure’s monstrous appearance, creating a sense of unease and prompting questions about identity and transformation. The rich, dark color palette contributes to an atmosphere of mystery and potential threat. Ultimately, the artwork seems to explore the boundaries between human and animal, beauty and grotesqueness, challenging conventional perceptions of both.