The artwork titled “Snow White Swallows the Poisoned Apple” was created by artist Paula Rego in 1995. This piece is recognized as part of the Expressionism movement, characterized by its capacity to evoke emotional responses through powerful and sometimes distorted depictions. The genre of this work is classified as literary painting, as it draws on themes and narratives from literature—in this case, the well-known fairytale of Snow White.
The artwork presents a dramatic and unsettling reinterpretation of the moment when Snow White succumbs to the poison contained within the fabled apple. Laid out in a contorted pose, the figure of Snow White is captured at the height of her turmoil. Strikingly, Rego has positioned her in an upside-down orientation, with her feet in the air and her head resting on a pillow at the bottom, communicating a sense of disarray and distress.
The color palette is vibrant yet harrowing, with stark contrasts between the warm flesh tones of the figure and the cool blues of her dress. Snow White’s iconic attire is portrayed with a sense of realism, yet the distortions and exaggerations inherent to Expressionism are evident in the figure’s form and expression. The chaotic brushstrokes and textures within the background further contribute to the emotional intensity of the scene.
Emphasizing the violent reaction to the poison, Snow White’s hands clutch at the poisoned apple and at her throat, suggesting the internal struggle against the toxins. Her facial expression is one of anguish, and the tension in her limbs conveys the physical torment she experiences.
Through the intense depiction of Snow White’s agony, Rego challenges traditional representations of this fairytale moment, imbuing the artwork with a raw and poignant power that is typical of her approach to narrative painting within the Expressionist genre.
