TOOROP, Jan
(b. 1858, Purworejo, Java, d. 1928, Den Haag)

The Three Brides

1893
Black and coloured chalk heightened with white, 78 x 89 cm
Rijksmuseum Kröller-Müller, Otterlo

In Toorop's imagery, religions fuse into unity. On each side of the innocent human bride, in symmetrical antithesis, are the nun-like bride of Christ and, thirsting for human sacrifice, the bride of Satan. They are surrounded by ghostly creatures in the manner of Javanese art.