Rape Imagery in Art

Now we all recognise Leonardo da Vinci's 'The Last Supper'

I've decided to focus on the leftmost portion of the painting here. Why? Because context, that's why.

Anybody with a basic understanding of this piece will know that there's a considerable gap to the right of this frame (the pyramid structure used in the centre of the full painting) but this is largely an attempt to draw attention AWAY from the rape imagery we see here.

Notice how Peter clearly has designs on Mary; knife in hand ready to threaten her into submission? Andrew plays the part of the bystander. Often believed to be an expression of horror/dismay. But what is really going on? Andrew is holding his hands up, as if to say "Hey, nothing to do with me! I see nothing!"

Judas is entirely ignorant to the whole thing, focusing elsewhere - likely symbolising society's pre-occupation with "more important problems". Typical.

There is some controversy over whether the figure to the right is actually Mary Magdalene, or John The Other, but it's safe to say that, whoever it is, they're about to be raped.

The title - 'The Last Supper' - symbolises how the victim (Mary/John) will be forever changed from this point forward. This is their last moment as the person they once were.

Leonardo da Vinci, again, demonstrating a lack of consideration for the victim (as evidenced by his attempt to focus the attention on Jesus in the centre of the original piece)

This painting is likely to trigger anybody with a basic understanding of what "rape" means on the Internet. Best avoided.

Salvador Dalí's 'The Persistence of Memory'

The timelessness. A victim will never forget. Time may pass but, just as the melted pocket watch will never strike another moment, the rape will forever remain in the memory of the victim. The rape melted - merged - into the very being of the victim, if you will.

We see a closed pocket watch to the lower left - notice the use of reds again (primal urges). This timepiece is left intact. The rapist. He has nothing to worry about. Sitting firm and proud upon his pedestal, while his victims droop and falter around him.

They're all stranded out on the beach. Each set apart from society in their own way, the rapist and the victim alike.

The timelessness of suffering. The never-ending cycle of rape culture.

Again, a patriarchal mockery of this very serious issue.

Munch’s Madonna.

Here we have Edvard Munch's classic 'The Scream'.

What could more perfectly convey the act of rape than a woman's desperate cry for help: to scream.

The imagery we see here gives us a visual of the fear this woman is feeling. The heavy use of reds surrounding her, representing the rage and carnal urges of her attacker.

To the left we have the bystander, reluctant to intervene. Keeping their distance. Surely a comment on society's dismissive attitude toward this crime.

To hang this in a gallery is an affront to women everywhere. Victims, and potential victims alike. The subtext is clear! Munch is trivialising and mocking rape.

Ah, the Mona Lisa. Leonardo da Vinci's best known work. Perhaps the most well known piece of art in the history of the world!

A lot can be said about this painting. The design, the aesthetic, the lighting. The smile.

What people often miss is the clear subtext of this piece. This woman is frightened. The awkward smile can mean only one thing; that she fears for her safety, and is trying to put on a front for her captor.

Notice the way one hand is guarding the other? This is a tell tale sign of a woman in fear.

It can't be said whether Leonardo was the rapist, but he's certainly complicit in the crime. To deny that this is a piece of rape imagery is wilfully ignorant! It is through the patriarchy controlling how we perceive the world that has made this OK.

First off, we have 'The Thinker', sculpted by Auguste Rodin.

To the uninformed, this sculpture represents a man, well, thinking. Often representative of philosophy, of pondering the world around us, our need to understand.

Wrong! Here we have a rapist. The man is in a state of undress, representing his deep violent sexual desires. The figure is cast in bronze - a rape metal - and this vile misogynist is contemplating his next victim.