Cassandra 2017

Rose Freymuth-Frazier made this oil on canvas called ‘Cassandra’ at an unknown date. It is a painting that explores themes of prophecy and disbelief within a contemporary setting. The figure of Cassandra, a Trojan priestess from Greek mythology cursed to utter true prophecies that no one would believe, is made relevant through the presence of modern technologies like an Amazon Alexa device. Freymuth-Frazier may be suggesting how we, like the Trojans, are surrounded by warnings—environmental, political, social—that we choose to ignore, even when they are delivered through the very devices we rely on. The painting's composition is suggestive, drawing on the history of the female nude in art but subverting it with an air of melancholy and introspection. To fully understand the context of this work, research into contemporary art criticism, feminist art history, and the cultural impact of technology is essential. Art like this invites us to reflect on our current moment through the lens of historical and mythological narratives.