This Painting Will Make You Cringe

This piece is called The Irritating Gentleman by Berthold Woltze. Could there be a more fitting title? We’re placed on a train carriage barreling through the German countryside in 1874. Our eyes are immediately drawn to the young girl in the center of the painting. She’s dressed in all black and appears to be in mourning. Has she lost one or both of her parents? There’s a middle aged man leering over her who seems unfazed by her emotional state as well as her age. She looks directly at us as if pleading with us to help her. But what if she possessed something she could use to help her? Something that she carries with her everywhere and can fit in to the palm of her hand... Thank you for watching!
#arthistory #art #classicart #fineart
Credits:
Cloud special effects from Vecteezy

[@Art_Deco]

Here’s the link to The Van Gogh Coloring Book: amzn.to/3R65V4I (ad) I handmade this book by digitally sketching my favorite Van Gogh pieces. I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed creating it! Whether you purchase my book or not, thank you so much for supporting my channel and making my dreams come true. I am so grateful for every one of you! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

[@fryeday]

I refuse to use Amazon because of the way they treat their employees, but I am interested in purchasing your book. Is there any other way of buying it?

[@greenghoul157]

As someone who finds coloring books and Van Gogh therapeutic thanks for the link

[@commodoor6549]

I think you may have this wrong. IMO, he's an opportunist or grifter, who's trying to take advantage of her economically. Based on how he's dressed, he's either a businessman or an attorney attempting to separate her from her inheritance, which is far worse than you're suggesting. A masher can be of any station in life, why make this man affluent? Why make him a businessman? The evidence that the artist is making it a point to inform the audience that she is vulnerable to the man's shady business dealings is that the artists included the man's shoulder strap of a briefcase @5:20. The man is conducting business on the train, he's not just some affluent masher. And the look on his face appears to suggest, he's trying to make his offer look positive... he looks cheerful, as if he's seeing dollar signs. He's clearly no smiling at her welcoming his advances. One other thing that is somewhat dark, there was an ongoing dislike and distrust of Jewish attorneys in Germany. In fact leading up to WWII there was a purge of Jewish attorneys. This man does not look Aryan; he appears more likely to be ethnic. While it's not a full out bigoted trope, it certainly could be seen as such. Germany was rife with antisemitism throughout the 19th century. And for that matter, Berthold Woltze may have harbored antisemitic sentiments and expressing either a dislike of Jewish business men, or embodying them as mashers, which would each fulfill that end to marginalize them. Berthold Woltze choice to depict the man as ethnic looking, at minimum, should be questioned. Think of how Trump referred to Mexicans as murderers, drug dealers, and rapists. Look up a graphic image of the time: No 44 le Baron James Musee des Horreurs, which was a Jewish trope. Here's the problem with assuming the interaction is simply one of sexually inappropriateness, in the American puritanical perspective we're indoctrinated to think of sexual misconduct as the worst we can expect from men, and thus it's the first suspicion we have. But in truth, stealing her means of support could leave her penniless and vulnerable to all the terrible things in life. Orphaned children were victimized by shady business practices back then, and that has not changed. And while it may be cynical to paint with a wider brush, today we see corporations using lobbyists to lower or completely eliminate their tax burden. We're indoctrinated to think of sexual misconduct as wrong, (although it's a crime for the poor, while the affluent regularly got away with it), and getting out of paying taxes as shrewd, when in fact shady business practices ruin lives and places unfair burdens on the working class. Love your channel.

[@rlroux]

still images - like paintings and photographs - can so very easily be taken out of context. the immediate feeling about the woltze picture is simply an irritating man with a cigar and pince-nez harassing a beautiful young woman in mourning. however, he might have, very easily, heard the girl's sobs and is trying to cheer her up ... the next picture, seconds later, could very easily be the girl dabbing her tears away with the beginnings of a smile ... (i'm an eternal optimist). in reality, if, in the next picture things were getting out of hand, i believe every Person on the train would come to her aid. thanks #arthistory for showing an artwork so filled with emotion.

[@8outof10catzDOOM]

Please pronounce Van Gogh as "Van Goke or Hoke" and definitely not Van Go.

[@macklinillustration]

On trains, some mashers tried to "steal" kisses from women when the carriage was plunged into darkness when going through a tunnel. Women were encouraged to hold embroidery pins between their lips to defend against the would be assaulters. This was one reason why lights were introduced to carriages and introduced ladies only carriages.

[@tessat338]

I think that we can assume that "kisses" weren't the only thing that these creeps were going for.

[@megeles]

Wow, so chivalry isn't dead, it was never alive

[@myathegrandma]

@@megeles Love this quote

[@Frommerman]

@@megeles Chivalry only ever existed in fiction. It's one of those stories we tell ourselves to make us feel better but which isn't true. If we had more literature written by women from these times, it would tell a very different tale.

[@candicelance4521]

Men suck

[@HankyPankyy]

The white handkerchief is probably a symbol of purity, she’s a child. Especially since it’s with a coin purse. Her sadness and purity is what he’s after.

[@blueStarKitt7924]

Yes.🤮

[@xerilaun]

😷

[@valkyrie1066]

Her vulnerability. That's not sexual interest, that's victim-seeking.

[@esper86]

the white handkerchief is purity and also surrender, placed underneath the coin purse, which symbolises the "treasure" the man is after.

[@SnowPheasant]

And, I think significantly, his cigar is hanging right over her bag and handkerchief, putting her purity in danger of being marred by his filth.

[@QueenBoadicea]

1:35 The cigar ash may be a devious tactic on his part. If she pulls away the bag to brush the ash onto the floor, he can slip into the seat beside her, as the bag will no longer be a barrier.

[@stanamilanovich3956]

Ooo! Devious! That's a terrifyingly probable observation.

[@bonniemagpie9960]

The cigar is directly above the flower image on her bag, he is holding his penis with that. The smoke and the shadow signifies danger, danger for her and potential danger for him. The ash on her flower is he putting dirt on her. He's an old !!!!

[@NighttimeDaydreams]

well then- very interesting observation heh, I'll be tempted to grab that fat cigar from his grimy hand and shove it up his nose

[@Alexcutspie]

to be honest i’m seeing more observations in the comment section than the creator itself

[@kasvinimuniandy4178]

omg!

[@dinarap6610]

When I was 14, I was attacked on a street by a man. He grabbed me and dragged me inside his car in the middle of the day. It felt surreal: I screamed, and nobody reacted so I understood that it was up to me to save myself. He tried to shut me by placing his hand over my mouth and I just bit it as hard as I could. As a result, I bit off the portion of his flesh between the index finger and his thumb. There was a lot of blood all over and it was his turn to scream, so he kicked me out. I can only say - man, he tasted like chicken 😉 From that encounter I had a small chip on my front tooth, but I decided not to repair it as a reminder of my strength.

[@digimonalvatrax2738]

🎉🎉👏applaud you sister

[@michelleb.9402]

So sorry that no one was there to help or comfort you.

[@Simply..Lychee.]

👏👏 well done.. 😂

[@-Scrapper-]

emojis is not what I expected as a reaction for a kidnapping

[@sodalite5294]

I think that person is reacting to person taste like chicken

[@CC3193]

How much do you want to bet he's telling her "You'd be much prettier if you smiled" ? 😠

[@GunnerTheTherian]

“I’m a nice guy, I promise!”

[@chloe_reeses_puffs]

I’ll bet my $4 because I’m broke, but yeah. The painting is so sad and meaningful.

[@sarchiba]

It is sad how these issues are still so present. It was hat-pins before, and now women carry pepper spray, tasers, and alarm devices in their purses. It's the same, it's still the same

[@luvlols4462]

It's a good deal worse today. Women have lost so many rights in the name of inclusively and gender ideology. We cannot even define what a woman is without offending someone.

[@smorgasbroad1132]

"Nothing is new under the sun." Ecclesiastes.

[@r.g.36]

That's because men aren't raised as women, they're not taught from young age that you ARE NOT allowed to touch strangers, ARE NOT allowed to harass people, that no matter how much you like someone pushing yourself onto that person ISN'T GOOD ! Men are simply not raised, they're allowed to give in into their instincts and are not disciplined in many many cultures like women. This will happen until people realise that both sexes should be raised in asa.e manner. You'd have a healthy society with better manners and upbringing, skills and respect for one another. Until then we'd sit and see this behaviour being "excused", "explained" and a lot of "advices given" to women on how "not to be assaulted "..... pathetic world...

[@mediaaccount8390]

There's an interesting implied hope/expectation when you say "still so present". It contrasts the current state from one that should be (by "now"). But as we see in the painting, people (i.e. the artist) where fully aware that this masher behavior was harmful back then. Just as we are aware of it now. Is there any real reason to think that some future holds a world where these behaviours aren't common? Is that wishful thinking or based on some noticable trajectory?

[@SMOMEGA1]

What is a woman?

[@rasmusmalmberg6468]

What really tears me apart here is how it looks as if she is staring at us knowing we see what's happening. Like she's pleading with us to help her. It's like we're her last hope, and she doesn't even look particularly hopeful that we _will_ help her. It's excruciating.

[@tammyt3434]

It makes me seriously wonder if the artist wasn't drawing from memory.

[@amandastriker359]

I think you're spot on. As I was reading your comment, I was reminded of the film "Promising Young Woman" which is an indictment of us all, and so is this painting. She is looking directly at us, the audience, reminding us that our failure to do more is the reason she has to resort to violence.

[@hauntedcliffside]

or the girl is stareing at us because we represent as her parents or an older sibling. that came with her for the funeral, and they are not doing anything to stop the harassment

[@annnee6818]

Yes. Like "help, I'm twelve, help me deal with this" but no one says a thing.

[@barkoictolugueneofbairtona2273]

"help i think this man is a child predator" "I'm just here for the cupcakes" 200 years never changes

[@-VoDkAsVengeance-]

To me, the tension in her body and her intense stare is like she just noticed us, a witness, as she grabs for her hat pin. She has a pointed stare as if either begging us to say something to him before she has to use the pin, or that she is so young she assumes she'll get in trouble for defending herself and is asking us to forgive her and not say anything of her impending move of self defense.

[@QueenBoadicea]

Matters got worse for women around this period. A well-wielded hatpin could wreak serious damage on men. So a law was passed limiting the length of the hatpin. This is typical. Women are allowed to defend themselves against men but only up to a point. Think of today, when assaults against women are followed by advice to potential victims: walk in pairs, don't go out on dark nights alone, stay away from solitary, dark places, etc. There's rarely talk to the men about behaving with decency towards women or advice given to a woman to bear arms that might keep a man at bay, like a knife or a gun. It reminds me of an episode on the cable show "Impulse". A girl who's already been sexually assaulted tries to get hold of a deer-skinning knife. But the proprietor is suspicious of her reasons. When she admits it's for defense, he refuses to sell her one, claiming a "good" girl like her wouldn't need it. He gives her a rape whistle instead.

[@paulsillanpaa8268]

Totally. Now that you've said it, there's this vibe (given the girl's age) that she's never had to defend herself yet. Maybe the person she's mourning was always there to look after her? Now she's looking at us and realizing we're not doing anything thing, and that she's going to have to work up the nerve to stab the guy herself. Yet she seems more scared than resentful...

[@Saraswatiji]

Men can be such pigs. 🎃

[@buffster948]

I read the painting in a very similar way. Although it could be that the girl is being trafficked somehow, a very unhelpful "adoptive Uncle" trying to beguile her or portray pleasantries under false pretences. It's an uncomfortable painting to see. I still remember being on the train at 22, going to see my deceased brother in the funeral home, returning to my grieving family, and a man telling me I "should smile more". I felt so much pain and hatred in my heart in that moment. Thankfully, I only used words, and walked away.

[@kekogre]

That being told to smile at a very low point in life is so painful. It’s always obnoxious to be told to smile but after a tragedy it’s especially galling. I had this happen while accompanying a friend on the subway to go to the doctor the day after she was sexually assaulted & naturally we were not smiling. I just told the man to leave us alone and of course he had say stupid and vile things in reply. Then years later online I was trying to explain to “well meaning” guys why they shouldn’t tell women to smile that we never like it, it’s always rude, and if you do this all the time it’s quite likely you’ve harassed the victim of a violent crime without knowing so please just stop. The “well meaning” guy started to do some math about what he thought was the probability he’d harassed a victim of assault on her way to a doctor’s appointment and it was actually not all that high.

[@c.s.7266]

I know how she feels. When I was around 12 I had to walk to school because we were poor and didn't have a car. I remember being cat-called and even had a man following me slowly in his car making kiss sounds. I was so scared and I pretty much ran to school because I thought for sure that I would be kidnapped or raped. I dressed like a normal 12 year old girl and even had much of my clothes made for me by my grandmother... It's shameful that this behavior still occurs as it always has. Thanks for the reaction. Great channel! 💛

[@echognomecal6742]

Too many of us have this sort of experience, at all ages, in all time periods. "Shameful" is exactly the right word.

[@Padraigp]

I left school at 12 and went back at 18 ..i had never got any ahrassment before but the minute i was in a uniform every bin man milk man delivery guy in the morning started leching at me...i would never send a girl out in the porn outfit that is a schoolgirl uniform. Its literallt only ever seen in porn all the time. Why do we put girls in a porno outfit?

[@echognomecal6742]

@@Padraigp Two words: "celibate" priests.

[@maxamillion2140]

I was riding my bike at age 7 and a man yelled at me to come to him and was running towards me. I rode home as fast as i could. Even being a young boy, I was allowed to roam the city and nothing scared me more than grown men.

[@WobblesandBean]

Yes. The same happened to me when I turned 14. The car thing, too. Nothing is more terrifying for a young woman, than a man creep up in his car and follow closely behind her on the sidewalk. I seriously thought I was going to be trafficked.

[@lorir5728]

As a female you can totally feel what it's like. Not wanting to be rude but so uncomfortable and wanting him to go away at the same time. You just want it to go away.

[@WobblesandBean]

Yup, and god forbid you try to assert yourself to get it to stop, cuz then 90% of guys will say YOU'RE the bad guy.

[@chrystianaw8256]

*woman

[@plainegrace5712]

My mother was born in 1916, so she was definitely of the hat era, she lived in a part of Boston, Massachusetts. She told me once "It's really too bad young women don't wear hats anymore -- I never went anywhere without a hat pin ".

[@J4ID3N_]

@Flynn The Hot Rider Hats were still in style.

[@realglutenfree]

@Flynn The Hot Rider What? Of course hats were still in style

[@wordforger]

@Flynn The Hot Rider Might not NEED it, per say, but might still use one because some smaller, fashionable hats did need help to stay in place.

[@J4ID3N_]

@Flynn The Hot Rider No need to be rude. They still could've wore/hidden pins in their hats, taking into consideration they were aware they could use the hat pin as self defense.

[@janeausten3989]

@Flynn The Hot Rider were you there??? My great great grandmother wore a corset up until the 1960s. Many people from traditional rural areas kept older styles of dress. Chill out.

[@carolinpurayidom4570]

The poor girl just imagine you are grieving the loss of someone very dear to you and just want to be left alone to deal with those emotions but someone has the audacity to make your misery even worse by harrassing you

[@anonymousx1101]

and possibly have you join whoever you're mourning if they're bad enough.

[@zesranehajzle1707]

Unfortunately, it's not really something that many have to imagine.

[@Houseproudasamotherhen]

Men ☕️

[@cetterus]

So many speculations. Imagine him say: "miss, are you crying? Do you need a handkerchief?"

[@Maya_hee]

@@cetterus Yes, I am sure that's exactly what it looks like and what the painter intended. Y'all wouldn't know obvious if it slapped you in the face. You would just say "maybe they were just trying to pat my cheek and comfort me and didn't know their own strength"

[@ad6417]

When I was 15 I rode cross country on a Greyhound bus by myself and a 50-something-year-old smelly dude basically harassed me the entire trip. He began propositioning me sexually and not being quite the shy timid girl depicted in this painting I turned around and yelled real loud "You want to pay me to do what?" He left me alone after that.

[@ukestudio3002]

Good story .!

[@OttrPopAnimations]

:O good job defending yourself and speaking out!

[@whatisthis1958]

thats awful that it happened but good on you for speaking out! I've been prayed on s3xually for almost my entire life, and I've never managed to speak out in the moment. I'm a very timid person unfortunately.

[@clairefordzetterstrom9973]

You're so brave if i experienced the same thing i would be just like this young girl looking for help

[@zaytaz9331]

Good job my (wo)man! As a girl myself, who's a minor, if i was in that situation i couldnt have done that.. i honestly get scared sometimes becz i really just let people use me But thank god i havent faced such a thing yet, i know i need to learn to defend myself but i just cant. :c

[@xAlbinopiratex]

I grew up with songs and stories like that from my Grandma. It's not surprising the older generations think we "complain" too much and are too sensitive, when they only had the option to suppress and laugh about their trauma, because nearly everyone had gone through the same thing, because women just didn't have any rights

[@readysoldier6799]

And their rights are being taken away again by men who enter the girls' bathrooms

[@nicelydone9776]

It seems like back then and not that long ago, the man's experience was more important. Women had to be pretty, a man could be any size or shape it didn't matter. And we all know the names given if we didn't give it up. Ice queen, frigid, uptight, etc. Why do you think they used to sacrifice virgins in the olden days?

[@Nyctophora]

@@nicelydone9776 In so many places it still hasn't changed. My grandma gave me a hat pin, and it never occurred to me if that might be why until today.

[@orchardjpg]

I can just SMELL his breath and hear his annoying voice. She is all of us 😢

[@spiderhssstt]

My mother gave me her hat pin when I turned 16 and worked in Boston. It was 6 inches and stainless steel. My grandmother's hat pin was over a foot long! (I'm in my 60s for context) 😊

[@wladynoszhighlights5989]

Interesting to hear, thank you for telling!

[@AliValentine143]

What an interesting authentic treasure

[@drrocketman7794]

That "pin" is a veritable dagger, and 12" is nearly long enough for a short sword!

[@-Scrapper-]

I don't think that was for self defence wink wink sorry

[@fintan9218]

Grandma out there sword fighting men with her hat pin

[@paulsillanpaa8268]

If you watch some of the early Loony Toons cartoons (before they started editing out the more realistic physical violence) you'll notice that Granny regularly screams "Masher!" when she's beating somebody with her umbrella or purse. One of my favorite scenes is when Tweety Bird is riding around in Granny's hat and Sylvester the cat, who is looking to eat her, has hidden himself in the top hat of a passing gentleman. Just as he's about to emerge from his hat to seize Tweety, the "gentleman" flashes Granny a creepy leer and asks "Going my way, Baby?" Without missing a beat, Granny screams "Masher!" and clubs the dude with her umbrella, squashing his top hat with Sylvester inside it. I was only a kid when I saw it and I didn't understand the history or dynamics of what was happening, but that didn't matter. I would be in tears laughing every time I saw it...

[@blueStarKitt7924]

I didn't notice that. Thanks for the information, I will pay attention to it.😂

[@CorrinaMusic]

NO WAAAY that’s actually an awesome piece of info!!

[@lbatemon1158]

Granny was always one of my favorite characters. Reminded me of my own Gram.

[@ramblinrose8]

awesome comment!!

[@2degucitas]

She solved two problems at once

[@careyfinding3310]

It's sad how very little has changed over the centuries for women and girls travelling alone. This painting is heartwrenching.

[@lpgibbo7463]

The statistics show men are attacked & killed far more than women, alone or not! Men used to come to the defense of women but thanks to ideologies like 3rd wave feminism & the me too crap a man can lose everything just for trying to help, who's gonna risk that for a stranger? I probably still would cos I'd just see my mother, sister or daughter but you can't blame men these days for not getting involved. We're f**ked if we do, cowards if we dont. What a time to be alive 🤡

[@TanakaMatsumoto]

These kind of statements are why people think that there's a "rape culture" when there isn't. It happens don't get me wrong I'm not saying it doesn't, but it's not as wide spread as people made it seem, especially nowadays. The other fact that people don't mention is it's not really safe for anyone to travel alone, but men traveling alone who fucking cares am I right?

[@od3910]

It's funny how when I was a young teenager I was constantly harassed on trains. It stopped when I reached my 20s. These men are disgusting

[@mikelisteral7863]

*girls was sad because her cat died, nice gentlemen tried to cheer her up*

[@Houseproudasamotherhen]

Men ☕️

[@EveryFairyDies]

I like to think the word "Gentleman" in this title is synonymous with the modern "nice guy" which is of course code for 'incel creep'.

[@d-sizzle3053]

I like how you noted in the edit of this video how drastically the look in the girl's eyes changes once we know of the potential hat pin. The tragic look turns into one of resolution and even a little accusatory at the onlooker that this is the world we created.

[@LeChikapaw]

This! After Lear ING about the hat pin, she no longer looks scared but very determined, in that case, it also feels like the black dress represents the loss of her innocence I mean, here she is a young girl , realizing how horrible some people can be, and to decide to take action to protect herself involves having to realize that some people are going to try and do harm to you not caring if you are in pain or anything, that help is not coming, that you have to do something, you will need to harm someone in other to protect yourself prom even possible death, and if you were a kind young woman the idea of "harming" someone can be hard to accept even if it's on your defense. So here I think is that eccact moment, when she realizes she has to take major action against someone to protect herself, she is mourning so she is pretty aware of how bad things can go to if things go bath, she is decided to fight for her life, her face doesn't show the signs of someone deeply crying because here she has stopped, her look shows determination, all her thoughts and actions are focused on that very moment and one choice, to protect herself.

[@rustyhowe3907]

It's almost like she's saying that it shouldn't be like this but it is.

[@tomlawhon6515]

My father told me that his mother told him that that if a man attempted to take advantage of her, she could very quickly put her hat pin under the man's fifth rib and directly into his heart. From what she said it is obvious that she was not intent on poking the masher in the arm, she was ready to kill with her hat pin. I don't think it was idle talk. She once saw an older neighbor boy bullying my father. She beat the boy thoroughly with a broom handle, picked him up by the belt and then carried him to his yard and threw him over the fence. When the boy's mother came out of the house angry, she said to the mother that if she ever sees her boy bullying her son again, she will bring her shotgun and shoot him dead in his own yard in front of his mother. She also said she knows she would go to prison but she didn't care. The boy never got aggressive with my father again. My father also had what today would be called a nanny, but back then was called a mammy. She also had self defense weapons, but didn't rely on a hat pin. She carried a straight razor and kept a razor sharp hatchet in one of her high button shoes. At about 6 foot tall and 300 pounds, I pity the man that would try anything with her or my grandmother with her hat pin, one because of brute strength and size as well as fierce resolve and the other by extreme motor skills and also fierce resolve that the man who messed with them would not live to wrong another woman.

[@biggiouschinnus7489]

They both sound like awesome ladies!

[@justanothermortal1373]

Your granny was a vicious badass lmao

[@mikelisteral7863]

*girls was sad because her cat died, nice gentlemen tried to cheer her up*

[@ellux2415]

she beat a kid? bruh

[@Brxwn9]

@@ellux2415 And he beat her child so wdgaf

[@chrish2277]

In 1874 in Germany (an the Western world) there was a flu outbreak. It's likely the young ladies parents passed away in this and she is on her way to distant family to be cared for. Family who wouldn't or couldn't afford to accompany her. The artist has captured the deeper sadness as well as the discomfort of unwanted attention from the lecherous man in her carriage.

[@ColinTherac117]

Why are you sexually shaming the man? Does expressing male sexual interest automatically mean that it is evil? Being openly sexual should never be shamed with words like "lecherous".

[@afairyist9981]

@@ColinTherac117 She is a CHILD likely younger than 16, and even if she wasn't she's clearly uncomfortable and mourning. He shouldn't be "expressing male sexual interest" to her in the first place. His complete lack of empathy, his predatory behaviour and being a pedophile is what makes him evil.

[@chrish2277]

@@ColinTherac117 Lecherous means: having or showing excessive or offensive sexual desire.

[@zzz_phyr]

@@ColinTherac117 bro.. ☠️

[@kuraarachan]

@@ColinTherac117 There is nothing wrong with expressing sexual interest. But targeting it at a stranger without their consent, and in the case of the painting, someone who is underage and in mourning is disgusting and deserved to be at minimum shamed.

[@fairytaillight1453]

I resonate with the girl's stare so much. The plea in her eyes for someone to acknowledge the situation and for her to know if it escalates someone will help. When I was a teenager a mentally ill man started harassing me on the train. I made eye contact with the only other woman in the area. I'll never forget it. I didn't expect her to help as there was a group of men between us and she was handicapped, but she was the only one to look me in my eyes and see my distress. Her unwavering eye contact back gave me strength. I somehow deescalated his paranoia towards me and he got off a stop or two later. I felt betrayed that the group of men didn't even look at me or cared about the situation. But I was fine and I learned from the experience.

[@JohannRosario1]

Once many years ago, in the late 80s, I was in Barnes and Nobles in New York, where a guy was harassing a stunning young woman nonstop as she completely ignored him. After watching for a while I went right up to her and say "Oh, here you are, I was wondering where you were. I was looking for you. What's going on?" The guy quickly scurried off. She turned and said, "Thank you so much.” I said "you're welcome" smiled, and slowly walked away. I didn’t talk to her nor attempt to make conversation because I feared seeing myself as “just another creepy guy”. I was also newly out of the military so I still felt like some sort of heroic world traveler with a sense of duty. The military does that to you. I often wonder if that young lady remembered me. Probably not. Nowadays I that would be called "being a SIMP".

[@pocketsoup8338]

Oh trust me I'm sure she remembers you. That simple act can literally be the difference between life and death. Some cowardly guys may call it being a "simp" but I think most women are just thankful!

[@tychopanda]

Most of the people that use simp unironically are bitter guys who've never had a positive interaction with a woman.

[@ia490]

Nah, that's still being a gentleman. People who'd say you were a simp are just incels lol

[@xboy1064]

How did she look like?

[@WhiteStripesStripiestFan]

That's being a hero, not a simp. Sucks to be the people who called you a simp. Cringing at the thought of helping people or others helping others is evil itself.

[@anerrorhasoccurred8727]

The fact women in _mourning clothes_ weren’t even safe from harassment in these “polite” eras is just…wow. No wonder the artist took this poor girl’s side. Edit: “it’s rumoured that I wouldn’t have been if mom hadn’t gone out without her hat pin” _jesus christ_ that’s legit one of the darkest song lyrics I’ve heard.

[@paulsillanpaa8268]

My late grandmother (born in 1917) once told us a story of being followed home from work one night. She only escaped by smacking him in the face with the door when he tried to corner her...at the font door to her house! This would have been in the early 1930s...

[@chseahawk]

Yep a child of r$pe. So sad.

[@carolallison9685]

Its just a painting. The fact is, a young girl, and even most women, wouldnt be traveling alone. They would have had a chaperone. Theres no way this would have happened in real life to a girl that young because the girl would have an older woman accompany her. This older woman would have told him to bug off. And while there were men who did this, the fact is it wasnt actually that prevalent. The media, like today, liked to blow things out of proportion. In this case, it was to scar women away from traveling alone.

[@anerrorhasoccurred8727]

@@carolallison9685 women were supposed to have a chaperone _in theory,_ but they all weren’t constantly supervised all the time…that’s just not realistic. Also, being with other women does not guarantee safety, these types of men simply don’t listen when they’re told to go away. I’m sure _most_ men weren’t this bad, just like most men aren’t today, but if Victorian newspapers were willing to mention “taboo” topics openly, it’s probably safe to assume they had a problem. The fact it also got a well-known slang term speaks volumes.

[@DonnaBarrHerself]

@@lila2986 Want to upset men? Tell them women ARE born into a war zone.

[@kathryn2327]

I love how in depth you go with your descriptions. Really adds accessibility to those that are blind/have difficulty seeing!

[@SummerAlleriaWindrunner]

I love your profile picture 😆 Especially since I'm seeing it on a channel about paintings

[@kathryn2327]

@@SummerAlleriaWindrunner thanks! its street art from Florence by an artist called Blub! How fun 😁

[@pianobooks42]

Yes! I’m visually impaired and neurodiverse, so these videos really help me appreciate fine art!

[@prevengeix8551]

This reminds me of a train trip I took 30 years ago. I was 17ish and there was a college girl behind and opposite me. A man I would guess to be in his late 30's kept walking by and creeping on her. After the second or third time he did this she asked me to sit with her. When he came by again he said something snarky and didn't come back. We had the best 6 hours together until her stop. It will always be one of my fondest days. Thank you Soni!

[@wordforger]

Oof. Good on you. Most women have been in a situation like that at one point, so most of us would help out a fellow traveller trying to avoid a creep.

[@Houseproudasamotherhen]

Men ☕️

[@mikna5758]

It has been up to women to defend themselves for centuries. "Never forget your hatpin". That girl is still staring at us, waiting for us as a society to do something, before she has to do something about it herself, potentially precipitating the situation and/or finding herself in trouble. "I am a gentleman, I was only comforting/talking to her, she misunderstood/overreacted/is crazy". Can you hear him explain his version?

[@dlyscas]

I don’t have a bucket list, but if I did, viewing this painting in a museum would be at the top. The artist’s genius in creating detail is amazing. From the stray hairs on her head to the way in which the strap over the gentleman’s shoulder slightly depresses his jacket. Maximum talent.

[@allenadams718]

I liked the alternate translation of this work's German title "The Annoying Cavalier" ("Der lästige Kavalier") if only because the modern definition of cavalier is no longer "gentleman" but rather has negative connotations of behaving arrogant, presumptuous, or overbearing.

[@aliceputt3133]

Cavaliers were horsemen as in here comes the Calvary. In earlier times they would have been Knights. And yes to be cavalier is reckless, bold and aggressive.

[@calanor4130]

I'd say that this can differ between countries. While not often heard in Sweden these days, "kavaljer" is generally used in a positive or neutral context and might indeed be used as a synonym for "gentleman".

[@sarielle85]

I think it's meant to be ironic, as a "Kavalier" is exactly the opposite of what he is, and/or it's maybe how this man thinks of himself - like today those man, that are very annoying and intrusive to women often think of themselves as total womanizers. ("Ka·va·lier/Kavaliér/Substantiv, maskulin [der] 1.Mann, der besonders Frauen gegenüber taktvoll, hilfsbereit und höflich ist und dadurch angenehm auffällt". Google 2023)

[@gaia7240]

I think every woman feel this painting on a personal level

[@blueStarKitt7924]

😡😔

[@chmezpolab]

yeah :(

[@b1njjj95]

Unfortunately yes.

[@desireeluciano]

You’re right. I recognize the pain in her eyes

[@user-qb3gm4pu2m]

@Betsy no honey, no

[@Hag_of_Fangorn]

I'm sure it's been said already, but the fact that a hatpin was indeed the only form of self-defense for women was exactly why the male-dominated government imposed a regulation for a smaller needle. Lessen the damage women can do when fighting back, lessen the depth of their pockets to carry info about their subjugation.

[@LauraBeeDannon]

Most states women just carried guns.

[@Houseproudasamotherhen]

Men ☕️

[@PumpkinHoard]

You know that pocket thing is a 100% fabricated myth, right? Otherwise known as a lie. Womens pockets were plenty deep, then fashions and what is socially acceptable for women to wear changed, with more skin tight/form fitting attire becoming normal. THAT is when your pockets disappeared. Men had nothing to do with it. Women chose to wear less and less, big deep pockets ruined the look of these outfits and didn't sell. Womens choices led to this, not mens. The hatpin thing isn't true either. The regulation for a smaller needle came in response to the increasingly unhinged actions of the Suffragette movement, whom many feared would start using hatpins as weapons. Bear in mind, the Suffragettes were not in any way popular with men OR women in their own time. They get undeserved positive coverage these days in media and education, but at the time they were seen as exactly what they were; a hysterical, stereotypical caricature of women. There WERE other womens groups advocating for women to get the vote at the time and for the most part they *HATED* the suffragettes, they rightly saw them as undermining the work they were doing. While the sane womens groups were working hard to show men they they could operate on the same level, that they deserved equality and weren't some hyper emotional, hysterical overgrown children that needed to be coddled at all times..... the Suffragettes were chaining themselves to buildings, screaming and shouting, throwing themselves under horses and generally doing everything they could to prove the negative stereotypes of women. When it comes to womens rights, the Suffragettes get all the credit but other groups did all the hard work. Also, Suffragettes weren't even in favour of equality. They were generally middle and upper class white women that thought THEY should have the vote.... but not working class or black women. There's a reason they were hated by Socialist groups in their own era. The same thing is going on with Feminists in the modern era. I remember a few years back a bunch of Feminists went to some Islamic country and decided to protest against gender based injustices..... by stripping naked and screaming at people. Local womens groups asked them not to come back, as a bunch of naked, screaming western women in the street is all the evidence the Islamic Patriarchy need to show their men why they shouldn't give women equal rights.

[@redmist2053]

@@Houseproudasamotherhen Women ☕.

[@obey_forever_mae]

@@redmist2053 bro didn't comprehend the original comment

[@reenougle]

Excellent commentary as always. The fact that this girl is so young and in mourning and still at risk is heartbreaking. Her thinking of using her hat pin means she must truly feel threatened even in a public train carriage. Have things really changed for young women? Well, they don’t have the advantage of carrying hat pins…..

[@umbrellathegreatdetective5423]

No. But, at least in America, they can and are supposed to be able to be carrying guns, pepper spray, pocket knives, or other weapons of self defense. Except laws are being made to make that increasingly more challenging. Maybe everyone here is Canadian and English or something, but I feel like that's the elephant in the room. I'm a young American woman, but haven't had many unprovoked stares or comments in my life. If it became a common problem for me though, I'd see what I could do to get a handgun. Men are stronger than women, but no one is stronger than a gun. Be assertive, tell a man to back off. Tell him to stop staring. Prepare for the pushback with mace, a knife, or a gun. If men learn women are a force to be reckoned with, they won't mess with them so much

[@readysoldier6799]

@@umbrellathegreatdetective5423 Don't forget the fact that men are allowed in the girls' bathrooms.

[@nerissacrawford8017]

I carry a pocket knife whenever I go outside. I don't trust people to control themselves.

[@WhiteStripesStripiestFan]

I was in Asia and when we were young, we wore what kids wore, skirts, tanktops and there were weirdos "flirting" us (me, my friends, siblings) it was s3xual harassment now I know there's the word for it. These vile people made me wear thick, figure-flattening clothes as I grew up. The harassment decreased when I wore frumpier clothes. It is a sad world, in one way, where women can't go out without wearing something comfortable because there's men out there who couldn't control himself and turned on by women's bodies. It's annoying as hell. However, nowadays, I decided to wear whatever I want. These men who can't control themselves can go to hell.

[@mpoppins1528]

Times haven't changed much. I was on a train from London to Cardiff at 9pm and a man in shorts opposite me flashed me his wares and all whilst leering at me. I found the first class carriage where the staff were and they let me stay there for the rest of the journey. Police were notified but he got off the train before they arrived.

[@tiffanymichaels2429]

That's horrible and scary. So sorry you experienced that.

[@Houseproudasamotherhen]

Men ☕️

[@cetterus]

@@Houseproudasamotherhen yup. All of them. Always

[@danender5555]

Something similar happened to my cousin years ago, but she was always kinda strict and measured. When a man who sat opposite to her flashed his wares she started to laugh immediately. Man left his seat in in very next tenth of second... There have always been plenty of deviants and those who love to expose themselves on public places (like pride marches for instance), they all poor deviants just hate the laughter.

[@nicelydone9776]

@@danender5555 That is what Shirley Temple did also.

[@yensid4294]

Street harassment is still an issue for many women as oddly even in these modern times if you are a female out in public alone, it is assumed that you are fair game for unwanted attention & unsolicitated opinions about your body/apperance. I spent much of my teens/twenties being this girl. Constantly having to deal with unwanted & sometimes aggressive/lewd behavior from men is what motivated me to get a car/learn to drive so I didn't need to sit around waiting for buses/trains anymore or have to walk long distances alone. I didn't have a hat pin but I did carry an exacto knife & a small can of mace(this was before cell phones)

[@hajimehinata5854]

It's damn sad that it's hard to feel safe for women anywhere bc of degenerate creeps

[@NighttimeDaydreams]

Not only in the streets, either. I've had two accounts, same creep. I was at work both times. I work in a little country diner. A family diner, mind you. I was working at the cash register the first time it happened, and some old fat guy walks up to pay for his food. He grins deviously as he peers into the kitchen. We always have music playing in there, and my mum was just kinda dancing as she worked, not even the slightest in a provocative way, either. He makes some comment along the lines of "I'd like to see her come out here and dance around that pole" (there are two support beams, running from floor to ceiling.) It took me a moment to register what he just said, and recover from my shock, and I didn't get to respond, because he had already gone. The more I thought about it, the more disgusted and furious I felt, and I REALLY wanted to bash that guy in the face. Pretty sure he knew it was my mum, too. A very faithful and happily married woman. I didn't remember his face. I thought he never came back again. Well, turns out he did. I was working in the kitchen with my mum this time, and a young guy, only a year older than me, who was the dishwasher, heard the guy make a pretty much identical comment as his previous one, but about the both of us, as he was going out to fetch dishes. I am a MINOR. And very obviously one, too. When he said that, the dishwasher immediately spoke up and chastised him, saying something like "hey you can't say things like that. you've got to respect these women." and hey, fun fact: this kid had recently been accused of harassment by an angry ex, too. I don't know how or if the creep responded. I only heard about all of this after the fact. I never want to work there again, but to thank the guy for saying something, when nobody else did. That guy really should've been kicked out of the restaurant. On another note, my friend was once riding the bus to school, and some guy that had been bothering her for quite some time went and sat next to her. He made some movement, and my friend, who already is very particular about personal space, thought he was going to put his arm around her or something, and she elbowed him in the face, without a word. He never bothered her again.

[@bambinaforever1402]

@@NighttimeDaydreams good for your friend he was not a psycho. Could have followed her and well, u know.... and the most horrible thing that most probably nobody would have found him anyway

[@ColinTherac117]

It can only be considered harassment if it continues after you say no. Otherwise it is everyone's human right to seek out a mate at any time. And for men, we almost never get asked. So if we don't want to die alone, we have to ask 1000 women and be considered a creep by 999 of them. If you feel uncomfortable, just imagine having to learn to be brave and resilient enough to have the courage to ask out strangers who will likely look down on you and then endure the pain of rejection continuously. It is deeply dehumanizing. But either that, or die sad and alone.

[@afairyist9981]

@@ColinTherac117 Wow you have issues. You can "seek out a mate" without sexually harassing people who aren't interested. If something only works 0.1% of the time and harms people the other 99.9% you clearly need to find another method.

[@greenghoul157]

I've seen this painting before used as a meme whenever women are experiencing grief that men dismiss and make fun of, like when you're told "Oh you'll find someone else" or "Why are you so upset?" The tearful girl in the mourning dress reminds me of the tearful bride in the unequal marriage painting

[@blueStarKitt7924]

Yes, that's what I was thinking too!

[@waverider8549]

Women's feelings are dismissed by both men and women. I was born overseas but moved into another country when I was 14. I'm 40 now but still have an accent. I'm constantly asked why I don't move to the old country. Why? Because I have a husband in this one? That I happen to love......they think I can just hop onto a plain and get another one.

[@greenghoul157]

@@waverider8549 I find both these paintings still shockingly relevant how they portray the female experience, how women are expected not to have any feelings about their roles in society whether becoming a widow or a bride

[@Houseproudasamotherhen]

Men will try any opportunity to harass women.

[@Exgrmbl]

@@greenghoul157 I don't know what world you are talking about, but it certainly isn't the western world. There aren't really any expectations for anything anymore from what i can tell.

[@OhAlice1951]

The paint splatters for cigar ashes was such a cool touch, I really love your editing!

[@maryjanerx]

2nd this!!! Her editing is fantastic!!

[@-Scrapper-]

The cigar ash may be a devious tactic on his part. If she pulls away the bag to brush the ash onto the floor, he can slip into the seat beside her, as the bag will no longer be a barrier. -A comment here

[@LolaKlein]

The most painful thing about this painting is that it's still so relatable :(

[@thatarthistorygirl]

If feels like she is begging us to help her. That tear is absolutely heartbreaking.

[@KarlBunker]

I love the "hatpin theory," but the best part of this video was pointing out how the girl is gazing _directly_ at the viewer. Creepy and haunting!

[@victoriamarie5664]

I love how you describe paintings, it's almost like poetry, and you point out things I wouldn't have noticed! Thank you for your channel!

[@kristi2066]

I have a tattoo for “The Hatpin Peril”. I’ve never come across someone else that knows about this. Leoti is so inspiring to me. Thank you for including this, it means so much to me.

[@justwaiting5744]

Agatha Christie's books sometimes mention this period from history. After large hats went out of style, her characters occasionally suggest that men committed murders with hat pins to make people think that the murderer was a woman. (The 2 that come to mind are "After the Funeral" and one of the Tommy & Tuppance mysteries.)

[@anhedonianepiphany5588]

The “hatpin peril” could hardly be considered esoteric subject material. That you’ve not encountered others who are familiar with it is quite surprising.

[@kristi2066]

@@anhedonianepiphany5588 well it’s possible because that’s been my experience.

[@kristi2066]

@@justwaiting5744 so interesting! Thank you for sharing that with me.

[@faithpearlgenied-a5517]

@@anhedonianepiphany5588 It's hardly something that comes up very often in everyday conversation 🙄

[@vigilauntie8381]

Same thing happens to women in public places today all the time. I wake around with ear buds in but not turned on so I’m aware of my surroundings but can pretend I don’t hear when men say things as I walk by.

[@chelseawhite7117]

Cut to the mansplainer I once encountered in a post about this painting who literally said “times were different back then” in dismissal/defense of the harasser. I don’t know when else in my life I’ve seen someone miss the point so utterly and completely. It was amazing that he was serious

[@ukestudio3002]

@Gi Gi many idealize previous eras, ignoring how women, minorities, children, marginal groups were (mis) treated; and still, today..

[@blueStarKitt7924]

@@ukestudio3002 Yes.😔

[@blueStarKitt7924]

@Gi Gi Yes,😔

[@tender0828]

Unfortunately, society decides what's right or wrong and depending on the time and place, there's bound to be differences. It's quite interesting how people are reading this piece of art today and I'd probably find it interesting to compare how it is read today vs around the time it was made. Surely there are differences.

[@asmallphd9648]

this do be society moment, keep lying to yourselves, every single person in my life in a position of power has been a woman.

[@fmor2779]

You can learn a lot of certain times just by looking at a painting. What a lovely video, I always apreciate when a piece of art speaks about the reality of certain periods of time. I would say, the title sounds like the artist was mocking the "gentleman", since many would still call themselves such despite their contradictory actions, even the title makes you wonder.

[@blueStarKitt7924]

Yes.

[@Starlight.1998]

mid century "nice guys" am i right?

[@cocolime6496]

i think there was something lost in the translation of the original German title

[@claudius3359]

I've always been bothered about the term "Gentleman thief" when characters with that stereotype acts the exact opposite

[@tatiana2696]

I can't believe how fitting this video is. Just yesterday I stumbled upon a short from Jill Bearup talking about Edwardian women most famous method of self-defense, which is exactly hair-pins (and the restrictive laws against them that were introduced after various "unbecoming" episodes) That aside, I loved the sheer disgust in your voice whenever you were describing the masher. It really did felt like I was there in the moment immortalised by the painting.

[@missallegra7568]

Yesss we love Jill

[@tiberiusarrrgh2911]

I love Jill's stuff too!

[@justincase9650]

If you're talking about the sword dress lady. You guys are aware that she's a TERF, right? She had an entire website (which has since been archived) spreading misinformation and demonizing transgender people. (the archive and a breakdown can be found by searching "Jill Bearup transphobe" on KZbin or searching on Google and going in the comments of the r/asktransgender post.)

[@clairemacauliffecarroll263]

When I was studying Art History in college, I always thought that the man symbolized that the orphan has no choice but enter adulthood. The man might be flirting with her, but he could also be like a sly fox convincing her that he has a job for her as an escort, or so on. Back then, men used to prey on vulnerable girls who had no home to work for them not knowing what lies ahead of them. The elderly man can represent her deceased loved ones looking away knowing they can't stop it, or the old man just knows what is to become of her future. The girl looking at us is looking for us to consider whether the man is trustworthy or not and is wanting us to intervene. I can picture the man saying, "What's a pretty girl like you doing all by yourself? I an offer for you! I'll make you a famous dancer in Paris! I'll buy you jewels, dresses, anything you want!"

[@janerecluse4344]

Yeah, I was assuming he was a procurer. I really hope the son of a bitch is just a masher, and she doesn't have to even consider working for him, and can stab him in the face and go live with a kindly aunt or something, spared punishment by her youth, prettiness, and bereavement. I already knew about the hair. I saw this and saw red, knowing that she's fifteen *at best*. 🤬

[@KevinKurzsartdisplay]

That is what I call true art. It looks realistic, it has meaning, it speaks for itself.

[@sean..L]

When someone who ought to be comforted and consoled is instead harassed and jeered at, it is always cause for outrage.

[@rosemarystanley7814]

My Grandmother carried one and had to use it once when a men sitting next to her at the movie show tried to get a feel of her lap After jabbing his hand he made a painful noise got right up and moved far away from her

[@lilitharam44]

Sad to see there were chomos even back then. This one makes my skin crawl. Thanks for explaining it and it's history for us. Love your channel!

[@takeandbakejake3271]

I do find it amusing that they seem to have kept the same beard style through the decades.

[@uqbar42]

As a filmmaker, I find your essays extremely useful to make insights on the richness one single image must convey. Gotta love your channel.

[@amazingshania4254]

This painting isn't cringe, it's disturbing

[@goatsandroses4258]

This cad is hitting on a grieving teenage girl/young woman (note the "Alice Band" in her hair) who is in deep mourning. For people of that era, it would be hard to go any lower. A girl who had lost her mother was often pitied, because she was seen as without maternal guidance, and of course without both parents, she would be without protection and possibly vulnerable financially. On top of it all, this dude is smoking a cigar right there...men did not smoke in the presence of ladies they respected. Of course, they didn't hit on the daughters of respectable families, either, so he's not holding her in high regard. He's throwing out bait. I don't see clear signs that she's reaching for a hatpin, but if she is, more power to her for using it if her lays a hand on her.

[@SummerAlleriaWindrunner]

I don't understand how men can tell me over and over that this type of behavior isn't real or isn't common when it's been going on for centuries. It's only evolved with the times, but it probably will never go away.

[@marandaed4335]

it wont go away because its a part of our nature, sadly. 😔

[@bluefox5331]

@@marandaed4335 It is more so part of the culture and upbringing I think. The higher the consequences, both legal and social, for being a creep, the less enticing it seems. I'd stay clear of men who are adamant that this is not something that really happens, replying to the og comment. You think half the population is lying? Okay sweetie, have a fun chat by yourself

[@cooldude2106]

@@bluefox5331 this happens even in animals , we are no different .

[@tychopanda]

@@cooldude2106 the difference is that animals have no conscience, animals do not understand the concept of rape, harassment, and other vile actions because they are simply animals. We as humans evolved and learned to control our primal instincts. We learned that our actions have consequences, that our actions can hurt us and others and that no one wants to be hurt. We learned to care for one another (most of us at least), and we learned how to satisfy our needs without hurting others. There is a huge difference, and you saying there is none does more harm than good.

[@cooldude2106]

@@tychopanda to control our instincts is a choice , some people will always choose not to , thats why this kind of behaviour has always been present and will always be there , unless we control it through very strict laws.

[@archervine8064]

Some things, unfortunately, never change. I do find it interesting that the -male- artist portrayed the scene with all the empathy going to her. Nothing about it is presented as in any way titillating or coy. It makes me wonder if it is based on something recounted by a female relative, or an incident he witnessed (hence her pleading gaze at the viewer) and later chastised himself for not doing something.

[@neatoburrito3170]

Or men are just capable of empathy? And that's not an invention of the modern era?

[@archervine8064]

@@neatoburrito3170 of course! They just have often been conditioned not to listen to that voice when it comes to women and girls, and to excuse the actions of other men.. And if that’s still too often true now, it was even more true when this painting was done. I am glad he was able to see it as he did, and hope that maybe it made some other men think about whether their ‘attentions’ were actually welcome or not.

[@2411509igwt]

@@archervine8064 Yikes, misandrist people like you are just as scary as creeps.

[@eileensnow6153]

@@archervine8064 there’s literally a second man in the picture to prove your point lol

[@anhedonianepiphany5588]

Your statement reeks of misandry. Unfortunately, shallow-minded gross generalisations don’t seem to be improving either.

[@gothicgirlfriend7375]

You're such a great story teller. This one made me cry a little because I've been collecting old antique hat pins since I was a teenager. I read about this in my school library. I have a large collection now. I did a photoshoot once where I wore a French bun and had them all sticking through so you could see the points on the other side. The bun ended up looking more like a warning than a fashion statement. I've listened to all your art history lessons and this one is my favorite.

[@Sid-mj1qf]

After completed the video, I again saw the painting and my perspective changed drastically. Now I feel like the girl is conveying to me via eye contact that she is going to attack him with a hatpin.

[@lizh7777]

That's what I thought too, gathering her courage.

[@seraphinasullivan4849]

I noticed an interesting effect in the zooming in and out of the painting. The other man's face is painted vaguely enough that when he isn't in focus it's hard to tell what direction he's looking in. When you get close enough to him to see for sure, it almost seems like he's just then looking away.

[@decafjava8565]

Ok this was fascinating despite how disturbing the painting is the history lesson was quite new to me. I like to imagine the "gentleman" was screaming in a few moments and others in the carriage including his companion leaping to restrain him as his cheek bled profusely.

[@liamvnbw]

You never fail to tell an interesting background story when you’re presenting these paintings, really changing the way we look at them! Well done!

[@TheBereangirl]

I witnessed something like this at a gym. A guy was annoying a young woman...not on my watch, buddy boy! I went over to her and planted my feet and squared my shoulders and said, "I'm ready to spot you now." Then I gave the nuisance guy a piercing "buzz off" stare. He took the hint and left. She breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Thank you!" I said, "You're welcome." No one bothered her for the rest of her workout.

[@alexanderf8451]

I love getting context for these painting that I don't have. Makes the work much more meaningful.

[@MikaelaCher]

There was a video i saw of a youtuber that focused on fashion history like this (if you know her name please tag her cuz i don't remember rn!!!) but she vasically put into perspective how many fashion choices in the victorian era were very convenient to help women keep men far away, like crinolines and big puffy sleeves

[@wildthornrose]

I don't remember the quote exactly, but in one of Richardson's novels there is a spirited young woman who is always sassing the gentlemen, and I recall her saying something like, "Move further away, Sir, I desire my skirt to have its full circumference!" She also snaps her fan in the face of another gentleman to show her contempt/displeasure. This is pre-Victorian though by 100 years, which kinda shows women have been using their fashion defensively and even offensively for --- well, probably, forever 😁

[@blueStarKitt7924]

@@wildthornrose Yeah!😂

[@ivymidnight]

@SnappyDragon did a video on this. "Historical Costume vs Catcalling : Feminist fashion trends men hated" kzbin.info/www/bejne/nISzkmdmZ7KFhsU I'm not sure if this is the exact one you were thinking of, but it's a good video.

[@janerecluse4344]

@@wildthornrose "I desire my skirt to have its full circumference!" Absolute queen. 🤣

[@claudius3359]

​@@wildthornrose ah yes,'offensive fashion'!

[@BoyProdigyX]

A Hatpin is the first thing I thought when I saw her hand like that. I think you have it right.

[@johnreep5798]

In the few art classes I’ve had, no one ever spoke of the paintings in this much detail of background, backstory, and detail. Art “teachers” basically said it means whatever you feel like it means. I was cheated. Thank you for this channel.

[@iplaywhatiwant3738]

The first thing I noticed was her fourth wall break begging for help. Help from literally anywhere; even beyond her time and reality.

[@sonorasgirl]

Oooof, as both a woman who’s experienced these…gentlemen…myself, and as someone with younger sisters, the second I saw this image my blood began to boil lol. Even watching this in a painting makes me want to jump in lol.

[@janerecluse4344]

Right through the fourth wall! I'm watching this from the bath, fucker would probably be delighted, until the beating started.

[@andreagriffiths3512]

That’s what most of us would do. We’d be all “Oh Alice! Such a shame about so and so.” And continue on falsely until the guy leaves or the girl gets up and you accompany her. Creeps on public transport suck. When all else fails, hitting the big red emergency button works too. I’ve done that before when there was a fight in my carriage.

[@Lona818]

There's always been men like this, sadly. Just the other day I was getting gas for my car, here in Mexico there's an employee that gives you this service. The man pumping gas to my car was so respectful to me as he's doing his job and I'm inside my car, then there's this other car coming on the other side of the gas pumper and the man inside noticed me, he just STARES like I'm a piece of meat...this goes on for like 1 minute. It felt like an eternity! He was in my feild of vision as I was paying my gas. I was so GLAD I was in my car and the creep was on his, as soon as I paid I bolted out of there. And you know the kicker? I was wearing my face mask, he could only see my eyes and hair...just enough to be meat I guess...

[@KAT-fz6yn]

Mexican men have the most audacity staring in public mofos will literally break their necks walking past you then continue to with thee most empty animalistic eyes. My favorite thing to do is give them the exact piercing stare they look away so fast

[@Lona818]

@@KAT-fz6yn ohhh, I'll use it next time, thanks!

[@Houseproudasamotherhen]

They’re everywhere it seems 🤔

[@xenphoton5833]

He was probably wondering what kind of idiot is running around with a face mask on.

[@cetterus]

Out of curiosity- which one of them was more cute?

[@yeahhhslay5357]

when i was 14 i was hit on at my grandfathers funeral by a very old man so i felt this

[@rainesonne1320]

I love the way you do these paintings justice by explaining what’s happening! Sometimes we look at something and miss the obvious right in front of our eyes. I also like your voice! Very strong, but feminine! Not monotonous like some youtubers! I love art, so this is the perfect channel! Thank you for all you bring to us!

[@williamchamberlain2263]

A neckbeard in a fedora makes me cringe even without him learing at a woman.

[@charitysheppard4549]

I just love your videos. You make me look at works of art in a way I may not have before. I have to say, as a person who loves history, she is not just in mourning, she is in "deep mourning" signified by the black buttons, ribbons, etc. So, her mourning is fresh, before she can even add lighter colored buttons or ribbons. I have always looked at the painting as if she is wearing mourning for her parents who passed and, out of necesssity, is traveling on the train to a new and unknown future. Possibly that is the additional cause for tears. I love how works of art allow us to form a story of what happened before and possibly after, the moment of time captured. Thank you for your great insights.

[@TomSuntotheMax]

I think she was reaching for the hat pin. There is a resolute set to her face that makes me think that she has decided she has had enough fo this creep.

[@hbrws813]

I learn so much from your videos! The close up shows her beautiful blue eyes!

[@karengerhardt6008]

I tend to prefer abstract art, but I love how you analyze the pieces and bring them to life, and how much I learn about history in the process! 🎨

[@susanandrews2294]

I've been in this situation so many times it's not even funny. Travelling on my own, using my suitcases on the seat next to me to form a protective barrier, only to then have some perv lean over my seat to check me out. Only difference is, I didn't have a hatpin. But, I grew up a tomboy and did end up at 5'10, so that combination helped deter the advances of many wannabe paramours. Ugh.

[@nicelydone9776]

I saw a cheerleader walking home one time, and she had a gym bag in between herself and the boy walking her home. I know if she liked him she would have moved the bag to her other side and held his hand.

[@BonnerDoemling]

Guys in 1964: “He was just saying hello, is that not even allowed anymore?!”

[@ٴٴٴٴ_0]

So true, and the 1960s predator-friendly mentality is still strong today

[@ahill4642]

I was harassed by mashers and have observed them harassing others all my life. They are despised, disgusting, pathetic, unconscionable fools. I regret every moment I ever spent being polite to them. We must warn our daughters of their unfortunate existence and mode of operation.

[@notmyworld44]

I am regrettably becoming addicted to this young lady's rather clever videos.

[@George_M_]

The implication is whoever she's lost, they're not there to protect her and she can't handle this crap without them at the moment. Hey artist, stop sketching and say something.

[@nachgeben]

We wouldn't have these moments in time, showing this reality that many men deny was a fact of history. However, this could also be based on models, something mimicking a situation he witnessed. Burned in his memory, and the models helping after the moment. We don't know for sure, even if the artist says one thing or another.

[@ZiggyWhiskerz]

This is a message the artist was trying to send, not a painting based on an actual sketch taken at the moment.

[@protectwhatisours6895]

@@nachgeben what men are denying this happened? Again with the constant boogeyman searching.

[@silvergust]

​@@protectwhatisours6895there are many people who like to deny things throughout history including some aspects of general oppression towards women. if it don't apply let it fly

[@bostonreese4807]

I just want to reach through the screen and yank her away! You can almost smell the cigar and his breath! I wear big hats sometimes and use decorative hat pins regularly. I consider them an option in protecting myself or others. They’re extremely sharp and no one sees them coming these days! Thank you for such a great video yet again!

[@livvyyyyyyyyyyy]

Never stop making these awesome videos on paintings. I love them and they are so educational

[@smithryansmith]

How about a little praise for the artist, Berthold Woltze, for either perfectly capturing a scene or creating a familiar scenario, enough to produce an emotional response over a century later. And being socially conscious enough preserve the moment. Well done, Mr Woltze.

[@MarcColten-us2pl]

I have old photos of my mother and her mother wearing enormous hats. I never before suspected they were packing.

[@labibaazim8050]

As a Muslim girl I make sure I wear as many hijab pins (similar to hatpins) as possible so that I can defend myself with the pins :) they are extremely pointy so yuhh

[@WhiteStripesStripiestFan]

I want to ask, with all due respect, even with hijab on, do some still harass you? I know that wearing it decreased the harassment, but I went to one county once and the men there kept staring at my body (I had hijab ON and a big jacket ON, NO MAKEUP, even have zits on my forehead). I felt violated since that day. I thought it was nothing until my friends discussed it. It's like there are some actual weirdos out there, y'know?

[@Kathirahkhan]

What 😂 the reason why they had hatpins is because the society would not allow other weapons held by woman now you can actually call for help

[@silvergust]

​@@Kathirahkhanyou are aware that not all women in danger can have the access to calling for help, right? in some contexts and situations it can literally be too late or they don't have the resources as i said before + other reasons

[@missink1728]

Sexual harassment is "old hat" for women, no matter the era. It's because other men, like his "friend" in the back and the viewer that let it happen and don't say anything that this behavior remains persistent in society. Isn't anyone alarmed that she even needs a hat pin? I know a lot of women today that carry mace. Why do we think it's OK for women to feel unsafe in their own neighborhoods?

[@thekingsdaughter4233]

Offering band-aid fixes is much easier and cheaper than to go after the root cause. 😞

[@tammyt3434]

I always assumed the hand position was her recoiling, but I like the hatpin idea. Get him!

[@thomasdougherty413]

A work of art that has a message, a work of art that speaks and speaks profoundly... without a single word. Wonderful video!

[@bonniemagpie9960]

Terrific upload. The purse is her future inheritance. Can't you just feel the irritation in this. He doesn't even have the courtesy to allow her to grieve. Dreaming of trains sometimes means connections with death especially if they go through tunnels.

[@AmaraJordanMusic]

As sad as this video is due to its subject matter, it’s so well done, and I loved learning about aspects of history I wasn’t familiar with! Kudos on the research on this one!

[@mahdi5796]

I love your storytelling and that you explain the context.

[@zinzolin14]

Sadly, real predators aren't this cartoonish and won't see themselves in this man's figure.

[@wunderedich5101]

Side note on the elderly man in the background: I interpret his expression as that of a resigned man who has lost all his faith in 'goodness' and therefore chooses to stay passive and not even look twice at what happens right in front of him. He's guilty of not intervening but I wouldn't say that that girl in particuliar wouldn't be able to handle that situation herself (she surely has that hatpin!). Despite her obvious youth, she doesn't seem generally naïve or extremely overwhelmed by this man's unwanted advances. Yes, she cries, but I think that's mainly because of the reason why she's in mourning and therefore more sensitive to everything that would exceed her comfort zone. But she surely knows how to defend herself. I like this hypothesis because it wouldn't emphasize (young) women's vulnerability but their strength.

[@ruffraff1059]

He couldn't. He is from a different class.

[@clacasva]

I was walking a block away from my house, coming back from my mom’s funeral, in my “church-appropiate” black dress, waiting to cross the street, when I got catcalled by a man in a car 🤦🏻‍♀️ I feel this painting sooo much.

[@Ninety9PercentAngel]

I love how you turned this rather disturbing picture into something very empowering. 😍

[@aiden3627]

I knew hatpins were used for defense but I never heard that song before, it’s so sad but so important.

[@ansika_art]

This girls face and expression can make anyone cry 😭

[@kojimbek2817]

Man, this is easily one of the sickest painting analysis! Cool, so cool.