Who is that person?

The Priestess, #9

A strong face stares into the distance as a confident, half naked woman, presumably a priestess or some sort of goddess, is captured in her natural state. Her face and shoulders are the main point of light in the image. A snake adorns her neck seemingly giving her an air of superhuman capabilities. It is juxtaposed to her cream colored skin as a black backed creature. The only other article of clothing is a red and black shawl that she does not use to cover herself. There seems to be no need for her to feel ashamed. She is a gift to her surroundings.

In the background, yellow grasses lead into the rocks of the border between land and sea. A Mediterranean atmosphere persists through the image. Even the colors of Crete are represented in her shawl. Some trees ornament the terrain and white clouds are seen above the sea. The only dark clouds are behind her profiled face. This may be to create more contrast or to forebode an ominous presence, maybe the woman’s or perhaps the person or thing she is looking so confidently towards.

Whatever is possibly in the distance, her eyes are fixed. They also fix the viewers gaze for the initial glance at the image. Her eyes pick up the color of her hair which is decorated ornately. Many braids, that mimic the snake that weaves around her neck, are stacked upon her head. Different types of accessories such as pearls and strands of beads run throughout her elaborately concocted updo. She must be a woman of great importance or reverence to have such a lavishly created hairstyle. She seems very at peace with herself. There is serenity to her face. The edges of her mouth curve upward ever so slightly to give her thoughtful eyes a look of contentment instead of sadness. She might be a youth who is naïve of the dangers lurking in the world, but something in her eyes persists that she is wise beyond her years.

Even though she seems very comfortable where she is, her image does not fit with her surroundings. She is the central point of light, the shining beauty in an otherwise average backdrop. All attention is brought to her, and then to the snake. They seem at odds with one another, herself a symbol of purity and the snake a symbol of evil. Perhaps this is just the view that the Bible has put upon snakes. Ancient Greek cultures used snakes to represent many different things, not just evil as is seen in today’s world. This is possibly why the woman does not seem concerned with the serpent that has coiled itself around her neck. Her confidence spreads even to this part of the image. Most would not be so calm with a snake so close to vital body parts. But the woman’s tranquility is the dominating factor in her face and in the image. This I believe is how the subject approaches all aspects of life, calm and confident.