St. Therese as a Philosopher 

This drawing is by Félicien Rops, entitled “St. Therese as a Philosopher.” The artist employs stark lines to depict a scene of complex symbolism. A nude woman with wings tightly embraces a crucified man. The composition is dominated by the vertical thrust of the cross. The starkness of the scene is unsettling. Rops uses his characteristically bold and provocative style to engage with themes of religion and sexuality. The act of embracing the cross can be seen as a metaphor for the complex relationship between belief and desire. The drawing invites us to question how these symbols interact, challenging fixed meanings, and engaging with new ways of thinking about representation. Consider the formal structure: the stark black lines against the pale background. The contrast is not merely aesthetic; it underscores the philosophical tension between the sacred and the profane, leaving us to grapple with the ambiguities of human experience and artistic expression.