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| Lady Godiva by John Collier 1897 |
Lady Gadiva is one of my favourite legends because a legend that hasn't got a supernatural element to it and it also gives the human race some hope. Lady Godiva willingly accepted her husbands challenge and rode through Coventry naked on horseback. Even though there was someone who disobeyed her command that everyone should stay inside, she still forgave him and thus allowed the citizens to live a slightly happier life.
There are many paintings of lady Godiva and i chose this one because it was the most realistic looking painting. I also find it ironic that she is riding a white horse, since a white horse is usually associated with a knight in shining armour. The painter used very dull colours for the background and the red cape that's covering the horse seems to lack vibrancy, however, Godiva's skin seems to be radiating vibrancy. She looks vulnerable and fragile yet there is an air of defiance surrounding her. She could have cowered on the horses back to hide some of her body, yet she is sat up straight and is using her hair as a means to protect herself.
Look at the signification of colour in more depth. White is a signifier of purity and innocence. Red and gold/yellow were traditionally colours worn by courtesans and are therefore often associated with sex. In covering the horse with a cloak the artist is emphasising the nakedness of the rider and he uses the colours to highlight the tension between her sexuality and innocence (a common theme in Victorian genre painting).
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