The artwork “Snow White and her Stepmother” by Paula Rego, created in 1995, is a notable work from the expressionist movement, specifically categorized as a literary painting. The piece is influenced by storytelling and narrative themes, drawing from the rich tradition of the literary classic featuring these two well-known characters from fairytale lore.
The artwork depicts a striking and somewhat disconcerting reimagining of the characters from the classic fairytale “Snow White.” The figures are depicted in an intimate, yet tension-filled moment. The character on the left, dressed reminiscent of Snow White with the iconic blue bodice and yellow skirt, stands with one foot elevated, revealing a white sock and a lackluster brown shoe. The person’s posture is awkward, their face showing a restrained expression as they peer sideways.
On the right, the other character, presumably the stepmother, bends forward in a conspiratorial pose, dressed in a fitted blue dress with a repeating pattern, and is adjusting the other’s shoe. This figure sports a pair of elegant black heels, and there is a certain intensity to their expression, suggesting a narrative fraught with undercurrents of manipulation or control.
The background of the artwork is sparse, allowing the viewer to focus on the dynamic between the characters. One can note the use of rough, visible brushstrokes typical of expressionism, imbuing the scene with psychological depth and emotion rather than striving for accuracy of representational detail. A red box on the left and a patterned blue rug under the characters’ feet provide a subtle domestic context to the scene, enhancing the storytelling aspect of the work.
