STAINED GLASS PANEL OF A FEMALE FIGURE

Brief description: Stained glass panel of a female figure, probably a siren standing near a cave, a fountain, a gloved hand and some bananas. Designed and made by Pauline Boty.

This panel is full of freudian symbolism. The posture of the female figure, a siren, at the centre of the piece produces a phallic form. The cave in the right background of the panel is clearly a vulvic image, however it is based on the 16th Century Mannerist cave doorway from the garden of the Duke of Bomarzo, Vicino Orsini. The Queen of Sheba was a favourite subject for Boty to paint and this panel is making claim to an 'equality of desire' on the part of both Solomon and Sheba, as the original biblical story did. The symbolism challenges the sexual inequality of the 1950's and 60's in which Boty lived. Written with special thanks to Dr Sue Tate.

Object type: stained glass panel

Number of objects: 1

Production date: 1958-1962

Production period: 20th century, mid

Designer: Pauline Boty (1938 - 1966)

Manufacturer: Boty, Pauline 1938=1966

Dimensions: Height: 429 mm, Width: 552 mm

Acquisition: loan 9.6.2016

Acquisition source: Milne, J.

Accession number: ELYGM:L2009.4