Sweet Kitsch

Too Late (1884) by the British painter Herbert Gustave Carmichael Schmalz (1856-1935). A Greek hero comes back from war but his great love, the princess or the queen has died. Sweet cheesy drama!

A Queen in Chains

Zenobia’s Last Look on Palmyra by the British painter Herbert Gustave Carmichael Schmalz (1856-1935). Zenobia (240 – c. 275) was the Queen of the Palmyrene Empire in Roman Syria, who led a famous revolt against the Roman Empire. She ruled over Egypt until 274, when she was defeated and taken as a hostage to Rome by Emperor Aurelian.

Painful Homecoming

Where is the lord, my king (1888) by the British painter Herbert Gustave Carmichael Schmalz (1856-1935). Schmalz depicts here a band of celtic warriors returning from a raid where they lost their king.  They have to answer to his widow who is effectively waiting with her two children.

Peeping in the Arena

Faithful Unto Death - Christianae ad Leones (1897) by the British painter Herbert Gustave Carmichael Schmalz (1856-1935). One of that typical cheesy arena paintings where decorative naked Christians are waiting for the lions. Should be a great horror show but in the end it's all about the beautiful girls exposed to the onlooker – of the painting!