Vasiliki Theodorou, the founder of MISS POLYPLEXI brand, states:
“The knowledge of art history is always the fundamental prerequisite for the creation and interpretation of style. A relevant example is the article by Vasiliki Mourela, Political Scientist & Entrepreneurship & Career Guidance Consultant, in which she analyzes the stylistic choice of Melania Trump on the inauguration day of the 47th President of the United States of America, Donald Trump, and its political interpretation through the symbols of art.”
“The Great War” and Melania Trump
Melania Trump, the First Lady of the United States, stirred a lot of discussion with her stylistic choice at the inauguration of the 47th President of the USA, Donald Trump. The First Lady chose a strict, dark-colored ensemble with gloves by the American designer, Adam Lippes, to signify her practical support for the American economy, as promised by her husband. Notably, her choice of hat partially obscured her face, particularly her gaze. The interpretations of her appearance ranged from enigmatic to aloof.
However, the expression “politics is symbols” resonates once more. The American President, who claimed he was saved by God to make America great, is accompanied by a strict figure with a half-hidden face, none other than his wife. “The woman is a symptom of the man,” taught the famous French psychiatrist and psychoanalyst Jacques Lacan. One might say that this female figure is another side of Donald Trump that reflects his politics—a politics that is impersonal, distant to the point of inhumanity, and simultaneously comical.
In the teaching of political communication, it is common for the first analysis to focus on artworks. What does it signify, and what emotions does it evoke? However, the phrase “what does it refer to?” is often heard as well.
Source: www.renemagritte.org
If Melania Trump’s image had to refer somewhere, it would not be far from the works of the famous Belgian painter Rene Magritte. Specifically, one of his three pieces with hidden faces, the famous work “The Son of Man.” This enigmatic painting shows a man dressed formally (suit, tie, and hat), with his face obscured by an apple. For many analysts, the way the apple hides the man’s face implies that he conceals his true self from society’s eyes.
Nevertheless, this is the first of Magritte’s three paintings with hidden faces. It is followed by “Man in a Bowler Hat,” while the third painting, titled “La Grande Guerre,” seems to closely resemble Melania Trump’s significant image. This work depicts a female figure with a tight corset, gloves, and hat, her face half-hidden by a bouquet of mournful purple flowers. According to the artist’s official website, Rene Magritte painted “La Grande Guerre” in 1964, reflecting on his experiences with World War I and World War II and contemplating, like all of us, the bleak prospect of World War III.
War is an unattainable woman. It seduces us with its inaccessibility. Its face, we believe, must be as beautiful as its attire. We dream of enjoying it by seeing it, but this enjoyment is never available—even the most obvious, the most justified wars are ambiguous! Wars always entail immense costs in terms of lost lives and physical chaos.
Warmongers (warriors) glorify it with pompous hats and decorative umbrellas of war-dvertisement (war advertising), but the war’s bag carries our foolish lives that we project onto it along with our faith and devotion. What covers the face of war? – The dirt thrown by the truth about war, declaring that this dirt is the flowers of the coffin.
(….) When the human soul fossilizes and civilization transforms into protective walls (parapet), nature de-naturalizes (there is no grass or trees on the earth, nor signs of life in the ocean or sky). The trio of colors (violet, dark blue, and azure) indicates the destiny of human flesh’s melting decided by war—its outlet: into death.
Perhaps, the symbolic image of the wife of the American President is described in the above words.
Article written by Vasiliki Mourela who is a Political Scientist, Entrepreneurship & Career Guidance Consultant.
We express our heartfelt gratitude to her for the opportunity to feature this insightful article on our website’s blog.
