Que ces vains ornements, que ces voiles me pèsent ! Quelle importune main, en formant tous ces noeuds, A pris soin sur mon front d'assembler mes cheveux ? Tout m'afflige et me nuit, et conspire à me nuire.
I'm not familiar with the story of Phaedra other than a false accusation of rape? Everything conspires to harm me. She looks disturbed. I don't understand why it's erotic.
@Abstraction The scene is from the first act of Racine’s Phèdre. Phèdre is sickening for her love of Hippolytus…
Let these vain ornaments, let these veils weigh me down! What importunate hand, as it treats me with care Has took care of my brow and assembled my hair? All afflicts me and harms, and conspires to me harm
She doesn’t want the maidservant to take care of her as she wants to die of love. I think it erotic with the naked body draped in the translucent veil. I think it was definitely painted with that intention. The accusation of rape comes later when she finds out that Hippolytus is in love with somebody else! Hippolytus is of course her stepson so it’s all a bit doomed from the start!
