How has the Narcissus myth inspired queer artists through history? | National Gallery

With its story of forbidden desire and tragic beauty, the Narcissus myth has long inspired artists. Through images from the Renaissance to today, Holly James Johnston explores how the myth has found particular resonance amongst queer literary and artistic circles.
Works referenced in this video:
Claude, 'Landscape with Narcissus and Echo', 1644: www.nationalgallery.org.uk/pa...
Follower of Giovanni Antonio Boltraffio, 'Narcissus', probably about 1500: www.nationalgallery.org.uk/pa...
John William Waterhouse, 'Echo and Narcissus', 1903. Walker Art Gallery, National Museums Liverpool © National Museums Liverpool /Bridgeman Images
Caravaggio, 'Narcissus', 1597-9. Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Antica, Rome, Italy. Photo © Stefano Baldini/Bridgeman Images
Gustave Moreau, 'Narcissus', ca. 1890. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond. Adolph D. and Wilkins C. Williams Fund, 2005.83. Photo: Katherine Wetzel © Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
Oscar Wilde, ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’, 1890
Charles Ricketts, 'Narcissus by the Pool', illustration for Oscar Wilde’s ‘The Disciple’, c. 1890-1924 © Art Institute of Chicago
Thomas Nast, 'Mr. O'Wilde, You are not the first one that has grasped at a Shadow.' Published in Harper's Bazaar, February 11, 1882 © The Met Museum, New York
Pierre et Gilles, ‘Narcisse’, 2012 (model Matthieu Charneau)
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[@luluandmeow]

Really great presenter and great content, thank you. I hope they'll come back on the channel

[@mmishajjones]

The Moreau painting 3:32 is at my local museum. It’s quite flashy and gaudy in person, almost overwhelming. Very fitting for the subject and theme.

[@MariaVosa]

Fantastic video essay. And an even greater sweater!

[@nationalgallery]

We couldn't agree more!

[@purkaitsurajit53]

Many, many thanks for the wonderfully informative video and the very beautiful artworks shown and explained by The National Gallery!!🙏🙏🙂🙂❤️❤️

[@nationalgallery]

Thank you for watching!

[@bekahart]

“Which is certainly not a narcissus I am going to recreate” had me ROLLING😂👏👏👏

[@CrowSkeleton]

Now Saint Sebastian!
...this is exceedingly well put together, and I love the themed pullover. I expected another modern work or two and fell off the end a bit, but it's a neat little video.

[@joanneboag5993]

Wonderful and informative presentation. The choice of sweater vest is the cherry on top, Holly!!!

[@robbielu22]

WOW that was fantastic that gave me a whole bunch of other avenues to "Look" at the term.

[@sacredkinetics.lns.8352]

🌹🌺
Thank you for the interesting subject. As always nice to see you again.

[@NaomiSilverArt]

Love these videos-please keep them coming! They are accessible and interesting, and they inspire me to get to work in the studio. ☺️

[@nationalgallery]

Thank you for watching, Naomi!

[@rockingthemike]

this was an absolute delight to watch; thank you!

[@mesmabelsare]

Beautifully narrated and executed video. Thank you!

[@idontevenknowanymore8463]

I saw the one by follower of boltraffio at the Hong Kong exhibition a few months ago,but here’s the thing though;the day before I went to the exhibition,I saw an image of the painting somewhere online and saved it cause I thought I looked pretty nice.then the very next day,the painting,this time the real thing,is right before my eyes.what a coincidence!

[@Mulvers]

Very interesting, thank you. Hoping to visit the gallery soon

[@maxhogan7342]

A great contemporary rendition of this is the 1971 art film "Pink Narcissus" by James Bidgood, which is pretty plainly created for the queer male gaze and touches on a lot of similar themes.

[@farmbrough]

This is a excellent idea. Good luck with your doctorate!

[@DV-dt9sq]

Super ❤.

[@chriscw1443]

Wonderful.....Thank you

[@marianaprates9379]

Amei esse vídeo! Ficou legal demais!

[@marcelaelizalde]

Great.

[@philipmurphy2]

Great presenter and content

[@random22026]

2:16 Cropped, alas
We love Holly James Johnston's interpretation of this theme, with respect to the LGBTQ+Humanity POV. 💐🌸💮🪷🌹🪻🌷🌼🌺🌻

[@unfoldvenice]

🙏🤩

[@catblue6393]

👍🏻

[@alexandrapasquinelli2291]

Yay I love this presentation! Thank you

[@nationalgallery]

Glad you enjoyed it, Alexandra!