assignment 5 b.

YEMANJA

http://ciganokallel.wordpress.com/tag/yemanja/

I came across this photo while researching Yemanja, mother goddess, protector of pregnant women and children, the owner of all waters, protector of the sea and the fisherman, (And may I say what a title!) As I was reading about the Anti-colonial/Independence Period, I was draw to the Virgin Mary. Because of my fascination with Brazil I had encountered Yemanja once before and remember her! Yemanja! Yemanja! Yemanja! (Pronounced, e-man-jah). The paintings information was in Portuguese, so I don’t speak or read Portuguese. I did read the text and find similarities and familiarities. I believe that I was able to figure out some of the information that was listed.

Observatation: A beautiful, strong woman half in and half out of the water. The sun is shining on her and reflecting off of the water. Her face is peaceful and resolved, she has a glow. Her hair is beautiful, long and dreadlocked with shells and material adorning the base of her head where her hair is pulled back. Her breasts are full and buoyant in the water, as mothers would be. At first glance I thought that there was a tapestry in her arms, however, when I took a longer look, I saw faces, all of them, with their mouths pointing toward her breast. I am not sure if they are wrapped in a blanket or if that is a shell? She has bangles on her arm and wrists with one shell bracelet. The bottom half of her body is in the water and I imagine her to be mermaid like. I love mermaids! The painting looks to be of oil paint. The textures are fluid, amazing and dream like. I love that when you look at the painting that you know the artist loves Yemanja. The painting also displays the artist’s great appreciate and understanding of women. I can only guess that the artist is a woman, by looking at the signature at the bottom left, the K and H are quite fanciful.

Interpretation: In one sentence: A strong, beautiful care-taking woman. Examples of this are: Her musculature, the fact that she is holding about 20 people in one arm, she is an inarguable beauty. As well as, the before mentioned points in the observation above.

Judgment: As with most cultures that have been influenced by the catholic religion, the appearance of their icons tend to pale over time…so, from time to time, our dear Yemanja looks a bit like Madonna (not the pop star). Seemingly most of her followers, don’t mind. The painting that I chose looks like the Afro-Brazilian women that worship her: beautiful and strong.

Questioning: I know that a person can see beauty and have a deep respect and understanding for , lets say: the opposite sex, the picture is so female, I have a hard time imagining a man as the artist. Yes, I know. Men have been painting women for centuries now, that’s not my point. I would love to know if the artist is female or male. I would also love to hangout with the artist, male or female. I like my interpretation of the people in the blanket, but I would like to know if that is really what the artist intended.