The Daughters of the Devil (The Creature) 1843 - 1867

Célestin Nanteuil created this lithograph, "The Daughters of the Devil," in nineteenth-century France, a period marked by rapid social change and evolving gender roles. The artwork delves into the complex intersections of gender, morality, and societal expectations. Here, we see an eerie, supernatural scene where women are seemingly in league with the devil. During this era, women were often portrayed as either virtuous or dangerously seductive, reflecting anxieties about female agency and power. The artist blurs these lines, presenting women who are both alluring and sinister. Are they victims or agents of their own destinies? The image seems to be asking whether these women are truly evil or simply rebelling against the constraints of their time. Nanteuil invites us to consider the societal forces that might drive women to the margins, questioning who gets to define morality and the consequences of such judgments. The emotional tension in this piece lies in its ambiguity, leaving us to ponder the true nature of these ‘daughters of the devil.’