Femme Fatale: Images of Evil and Fascinating Women

In the striking works of Pre-Raphaelite, Symbolist and Art Nouveau artists and in their literary parallels, Patrick Bade uncovers an extraordinary, disturbing world of sexual fantasy and a remarkably pervasive image of woman as destroyer. Enchantress, priestess, siren, sphinx and angel of death, the femme fatale became the sinister new heroine of an entire generation and one of the most powerful symbols of change in late nineteenth century society. LAVISHLY ILLUSTRATED WITH PHOTOGRAPHS!!!!!