The Bridesmaid

John EverettMillais, 1851

This is the most powerfully erotic of the early pictures. The Bridesmaid passes a small piece of wedding cake through the wedding ring a number of times.

The superstition was that she would then see a vision of her own future husband. The lovely girl has long luxuriant dark red hair, flowing right down over her shoulders, and this in combination with the phallic symbolism of the sugar caster produces a highly sexually charged image. BUT the blossom on her breast is a symbol of virginity.