Friday, March 8, 2013

The Skinny -- Spider Lady

Erte's Spider Lady Flapper
Today I thought it would be fun to look at a character from a myth or legend and see how it has been translated visually (since you know by now, I'm sure, that we Blackbird girls are very visual).  We're always interested in how people twist and turn classic imagery to fit different styles and times.  So, this post is about the Spider Lady.

The Spider Woman is revered among many Native American tribes as the:
 "creation goddess who spun the world out of her web and sang all things to life.  Her creative powers were given to the Navajo through the art of weaving -- a skill the Navajo passed on through generations along with the tale of the first great weaver, Spider Woman."*

However, more, shall we say, modern, interpretations of the Spider Woman became popular, from circus sideshow freaks to comic book characters.  Here's a quick visual slideshow for your enjoyment!

Vintage Circus Sideshow Poster


Oh, what a tangled web we weave!

Vintage Postcard

Fashion plate Spider Lady...



1950s Housewife Spider Woman...

*From http://www.rockwellmuseum.org/Legend-of-Spider-Woman.html

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