The Portrayal of Lucy

At first glance, the various cover art of Lucy seems similar. The shading of both portraits are similar, the ethnicity of the women seem similar, and most importantly their facial expressions both express emptiness. The task I gave myself was to look inside the similarities to find meaning, rather than using the simple explanation as the style of the artist. What was the artist trying to tell us with these similar women? Are they at all different? If they're different, can they both portray the theme of the story? 

With time I recognized that their similarities emphasized their differences. In example, both women are wearing the same type of outfit. In class yesterday, we discussed how this outfit may have implied less innocence and purity considering how some woman were exposing their chests with this outfit while another woman was not. We also discussed how this particular woman who was not exposing herself was also dressed in white, which we know is a common symbol of purity. Although both women are dressed in the same style outfit- there is a difference. Automatically my attention is drawn to the color of the bright white dress due to the contrast of her skin color and her dress. Perhaps the artist did this on purpose to characterize the difference in her personality, for she is both exposing herself and wearing the symbolic color of purity. Does this contrast in color as well as identity portray the woman's process of self-discovery? denial? 

My attention was also drawn to the single hand in the center of both portraits. The hand plays a significant role in the story in relation to sexuality. The single hand in each picture is emphasized by its center placement in the picture as well as the fact that neither hand is at rest. This is a similarity I was immediately drawn to, yet instantly recognized the difference between the hands. In the portrait with the red background and dark dress, she holds her empty hand near her bosom. Although it is not at rest, it is not displaying any purpose; however, it lays in between her breasts drawing your attention to the exposed half of the body. In contrast, the hand of the woman in white holds a foreign object. This hand has a purpose and displays an attachment to her native society. Also, the placement of this woman's hand draws the eye to the clothed half of the body, significantly- the half of the body clothed in white. 

These women are similar. 

These women are different.

These women represent a part of Lucy.