The Last Express--Any art experts out there?

[rrtanton]

Hi all...longtime lurker, first-time poster, and it's an odd question that brings me here...I want to know what a piece of art in this game IS. :confused:

I was tinkering with a copy of The Last Express I'd picked up ages ago (not very far into it yet.) The game has a substantial amount of art (oil paintings, olympic games posters, etc.) On the wall by the entrance to Kronos' car, there's an oil painting of a partially clothed woman and a snake...I would guess it's an "Eve and the Snake" metaphor, yet I also suspect it's not meant to be literally Eve.

I get the impression it's significant to the game, but at this point that's not why I'm asking about it...I just thought the painting was unusual compared to others I've seen with similar subjects, and showed it to a friend with an interest in religious iconography. He was very interested, and wants to know who the artist was, if there's any history behind it, etc. We haven't a clue. So far, Googling hasn't turned up any leads. Does anyone have an idea?

For all I know it could even be something made for the game, but I don't think that's likely. I suspect this is older, and recognizable to a solid art historian. If I can find a way, I'll try to get an image of it out of the game somehow and present it here. Appreciate any help you can offer...thanks!

rrt

[rrtanton]

Okay! With some Rube Goldberg fiddling, I was able to get a vaguely decent image using my digicam. If I've done it right, it should be attached...

rrt

[rrtanton]

I solved the mystery! :)

For completeness' sake, details below for anyone who was as curious as me...

Thanks to the folks who looked. A LOT of idle surfing, inquiring with various people, narrowing down options, etc., led me to some hits that weren't correct, but close enough to lead me to other art from the same artist, and finally the painting itself.

The title is "Sin," and the artist is Franz von Stuck, a German painter from the late 19th/early 20th centuries. More can be viewed here:

http://www.artmagick.com/artists/stuck.aspx

"Sin" was quite a sensation in its day, bringing in huge crowds fascinated by the painting's unusual combination of sensuality and threatening, sinister overtones, most likely meant as a representation of Eve and the Snake. The painting is tame compared to some of his other works--although he has a somewhat "normal" portfolio as well, much of his work includes combinations of disturbing subjects, far more "nude" nudes, and religious symbolism. Especially after the popularity of "Sin," as most artists will attempt to capitalize on past success. "Reading between the lines," there seem to be hints of misogyny in much of his work, as well.

Thanks again for taking a look! My apologies for an entirely one-sided thread... :P

rrt

[fov]

Thanks for the update! I have not played TLE yet but it's waiting on my shelf. I'll tuck this bit of info away for when I play the game.

I recently played Tender Loving Care, which has a ton of art in it. If you're an art buff you might be interested in that game. (It's also rather X-rated...) TLC is more an interactive movie than a game, but the course of the story is (supposedly) influenced by answers you give to psychological questions, most of which have to do with art. So, your reaction to or interpretation of a particular painting influences the progression of the story. I found it to be a unique, interesting experience... and there were a lot of pretty paintings I wouldn't have seen otherwise.

*D emily

[Fienepien]

I solved the mystery! :)
[...] My apologies for an entirely one-sided thread... :P


Apologies...?
The Last Express is one of my alltime favorites and I found your info on the painting fascinating. Whenever I knocked on that compartment door, I turned to have a quick look. Just the painting a guy like Kronos would want for his collection. :)

[crabapple]

Thanks for posting the information.
The painting looked familiar, but I couldn't place it.
Strange painting.

[Titan]

Fienepien captured my sentiments exactly. Maybe some day she'll switch back to the Anna Wolfe avatar, my favorite. :)

Thanks, rrtanton, for a very interesting thread.

[Fienepien]

Fienepien captured my sentiments exactly. Maybe some day she'll switch back to the Anna Wolfe avatar, my favorite. :)


I was getting a bit tired of cute little Gnappie myself... ;)

[ragnar]

The amount of details available in TLE is just amazing.

[Titan]

Oh Fienepien, you've made my day with your avatar switchback. :kiss: :)

[Leonard Shelby]

I can t wait to play this game, i m found of art and painting and i m totally amazed at this sensual painting s quality :p

Jordan Mechner is a video game genius .

[Fienepien]

Jordan Mechner is a video game genius .

How I wish he would make another adventure...
Fat chance. :\

[ragnar]

I hope he will someday, but it won't be in the next ten years, I'd say.

[Leonard Shelby]

Thanks for the update! I have not played TLE yet but it's waiting on my shelf. I'll tuck this bit of info away for when I play the game.

I recently played Tender Loving Care, which has a ton of art in it. If you're an art buff you might be interested in that game. (It's also rather X-rated...) TLC is more an interactive movie than a game, but the course of the story is (supposedly) influenced by answers you give to psychological questions, most of which have to do with art. So, your reaction to or interpretation of a particular painting influences the progression of the story. I found it to be a unique, interesting experience... and there were a lot of pretty paintings I wouldn't have seen otherwise.

*D emily

Hi Emily, where did you find this original and adult orientated game :confused:

[fov]

Hi Emily, where did you find this original and adult orientated game :confused:

Apparently I've been talking this game up a bit this week (and it's not even that recently that I played it)... I must have naughtiness on the brain! :o

I traded someone for it but it seems to be available pretty easily on ebay and Amazon, as well as here (http://aftermathmedia.com/tlc/orderframe.htm) on the devloper's website.

Incidentally, this game was made by half of the team who did 7th Guest and the 11th Hour, so although it's not a strict adventure, it does have adventure game roots.

:) emily

[Leonard Shelby]

Does anyone here know where to buy this game on the web and if possible as new ?

Thanks

[fov]

Which one... Tender Loving Care, or The Last Express? :D

TLC you can find on ebay and Amazon, as well as at the developer's website (http://www.aftermathmedia.com/tlc/). (Hey, didn't I say that two posts ago? ;) )

TLE, as I understand it, is pretty hard to find.

-emily

[Maquisard]

I remember seeing that painting some time ago, like 2 years or so. My dad was taking something like an art-appreciation course in College (he's one of those older folks you surprisingly encounter in CC), and I think he had to write an essay about it. I might ask him what he wrote about, and post it up here. :D That is of course, if you're still interested in the topic, as opposed to that adult oriented game... :shifty:

[Fienepien]

The Last Express is available at CDAccess, new in box. Last time I looked they had 79 copies in stock. CDAccess is a very reliable on-line store.

http://www.cdaccess.com/html/shared/lastexp.htm

[Fienepien]

That is of course, if you're still interested in the topic, as opposed to that adult oriented game... :shifty:

Well, I am... Post it! ;)