La Fiancée Hésitante, 1866 (The Hesitant Betrothed or The Reluctant Bride) is an oil painting by Auguste Toulmouche.

This painting departs from his usual work in many ways. Toulmouche’s usual paintings depict Parisian women of the upper bourgeoisie, lovely and timid. Although this work depicts a wealthy woman, she is anything but timid. Additionally, fourth-wall breaks were not particularly common throughout Toulmouche’s work. The emotions contained within this painting are directed right at the audience.

The story behind the painting is unknown. However, it is commonly accepted that the painting depicts a woman destined for an arranged marriage.

Her unwillingness to accept this marriage custom is brave, considering the time period’s expectations of women. Her rage stares down the painting, an act of silent defiance.

The story of Hades and Persephone is one of the most popular and retold Greek Myths.

It is more often than not told as a love story. I do not protest the love between Hades and Persephone; I do protest the portrayal of Persephone as a lovely and timid woman.

I feel as though many iterations of this story portray her as docile and delicate to cater to the love story. Persephone and Demeter protested and fought to keep Persephone out of the underworld. Demeter stopped the Harvest, and Persephone refused to eat. Hades and Zeus bent to the will of two strong women who did not underestimate their own power.

In my recreation of The Hesitant Betrothed, Persephone takes the place of the bride. However, Persephone is not as hopeless as the bride in Toulmouche’s painting. She takes her rightful place as queen of the underworld, sitting on the throne. Hades and Cerberus are submissive at her side.

Sitting on her lap and staining her dress, a pomegranate, a souvenir that’s tied her to Hades, and a reminder of the winter to come.