Fine Art Photography and Paintings: Representing Myrtle

The photograph below is an image by famous photographer Cindy Sherman. She is well known for her conceptual portraits, often shooting photos of people in situations we wouldnt see, or wouldnt think were going to make successful images. She always tells the truth with her photography. She has often been known for shooting images of women in society, raising a lot of challenging questions about how women are and should be seen. I think not only the image makes me think of Myrtle, but so does the background behind Sherman's take of women in society - because this is an important factor that Fitzgerald was trying to get across in his novel.

SHERMAN, Cindy, 'Meneguzzo', 2nd Copy, 1990, Available: Solent Library

I chose this image as a reference to Myrtles character for many personal preferences, such as the posture, the makeup and hair and the attitude of the model. The body language of the model isn't completely facing you, showing that the woman is guarded and uninviting. She also has an expression that tells me she is shocked, but shy, which I see in Mrytle's character within references to scenes such as her being hit by Tom and when she says "You can't live forever!". The woman is unattractive, looks quite messy and lower class, but still has the sense of sexual being looking at the type of corset she is wearing and that she is exposing her upper body. However, despite all of this she is very closed off with her body, which makes me think of Myrtle because she is referred to as a woman with a "thickish figure" - therefore embarrassment comes to mind when looking at her posture. The woman is wearing an outfit that clashes with the wallpaper behind her, showing her sense of styling isn't up to scratch, again making me think of Myrtle and her lower class dress sense. The cone-breast part of the woman's top half links with the idea of prostitution, and her face shows she is pouting, which gives off the impression that despite any self-consciousness she is still trying to be sexy. 

PONZI, Fabiana, 'Sad, Lonely, Desperate', 2012.

Another strong image that reflects the emotion and mood of Myrtles character. Her, we clearly see a sad woman. She looks desperate, looking directly at you with eyes of pain and sadness. She has clearly been crying, with the marks of mascara stained on her face. She is holding her head in her hand, suggesting agony and  her body language suggests that of discomfort. Although I cant see for sure, it would seem that her other arm is across her body, showing she is guarding herself, or protecting herself from something. Her hair and makeup is a mess, clearly stating that she is experiencing something physical (and emotional) at that moment in time. The background is plain, showing the attention all focused on the model. However, her clothing is yellow, which suggests happiness, which could tell us that this women is a happy person, despite the pain she is clearly experiencing now. Her shoulder is bare, giving off provocative connotations, but we can clearly see that she is covered in bruising. Obviously, she has experience some form of an attack. From this, I get the impression that she links to Myrtle with a sense of heartbreak. Maybe she is looking for something that she cant find? Maybe she is in love with the wrong man? Both things that Myrtles character is familiar with. 

This image is available at: http://www.123rf.com/photo_16522851_sad-lonely-desperate-hit-woman.html

David Lachapelle, American Jesus, 2010.

The above image is by photographer David Lachapelle. The image represents pain, confusion and destruction of love and greed. The set up shows a complete shambles, possibly representing the life style of someone who is desperate for love. The colours are vibrant, making the image attention seeking and drawing you in to the mash up of props. There are various of models, each sitting in strange set ups. For example, there is a baby holding a gun wearing a crown, suggesting to me that its trying to show the idea of destruction and power. There is a man looking like Jesus, with a pained expression on his face and body. The woman looks powerful and independent from the rest of the photos, with seductive perfect skin and sitting in a sultry way - possibly telling us that she represents what destruction is. The rest of the set up looks powerful and rich, with lots of gold and expensive looking things surrounded them. The materials, such as the red silk, showing a rich quality. Destruction is quite clearly represented with the broken wall in the background and the digger demolishing the world outside. As if everything glamorous is becoming destroyed.

Flapper Girl #2, Shirl Theis, Acrylic on Fingerboard

Here we see an image of a flapper girl, women who were famously known in the 1920s. They were lower class women who danced at parties and wore sequined, sexy outfits. They were loved by the rich men for entertainment. The painting shows the sexual side of a flapper girl, with the smokey eyes, the pouted purple lips, the vibrant headpiece and the large hair - but it also shows the innocence of a women who is trying to make her way in the world. The woman has been made to look perfect, which a flapper girl should be - attractive. However, they werent always the standard perfect that we think of, although perfect doesn't exist. Her skin is made to look pure and seductive, her rosey cheeks are seductive and her overall appearance is seductive. The pale purple colours that makes up the whole painting suggests a sense of purity, but not quite. It shows innocence, being a pretty colour, but then condradicts with the speckled coloured background and the bold black hair. The woman isnt looking directly at you either, possibly saying that she is shy, unsure, and uninviting - which is strange when representing a flapper girl because they are suppose to draw you in.

Myrtle is supposed to represent the idea of a flapper girl, which is why I have chosen this image to represent her - (despite in my opinion this painting being too 'pretty').
Here are some other flapper paintings:

Flapper Girl, Pierrot

Flapper Fashion 1920, Clive Henry

The Painted Girl, Unknown Artist

The mixture of flapper girls shown within these different interpretations shows the versatility of Myrtles character. However, after reading the book thoroughly I have my image of her so finding the difference between images is a lot easier.