The Lure of Female Vampire Art

Melanie L. Marten
Vampires are more a part of mainstream media entertainment than ever. In the quest for dark romanticism and dangerous beauty portrayed in popular books and movies, female vampire art is increasing in popularity. Combining the lure of beautiful women portrayed in pictures with the lure of the vampire mystique results in some truly fantastic artwork.

Why is Female Vampire Art Popular?

Female vampire art is growing in popularity due, in part, to books such as Twilight by Stephanie Meyer and a run of new vampire movies in the theaters for the past several years. Vampires have always held a bewitching power over some people. Like their mythological counterparts, vampires in art can beguile the senses and create a sensual response.

To tell the truth, a large percentage of female vampire art consists of shapely women in provocative poses with skimpy clothing on. Obviously, this would be popular with those who find the female form enticing. The addition of vampire characteristics: open mouths, red lips and pale, perfect skin, adds to the aesthetics.

Some of the lure of vampire women in artwork comes from the association with death as well. Death, though hardly the taboo subject that is was in years gone by, is still a mystifying and disturbing thing. Dealing with the fear of death through artwork is not new. Female vampire art paints the subject of death, or at least undeath, in an attractive light. That is not to say it makes death a pleasant thing. Having a beautiful, sensual woman dealing out death or something like it creates a feeling of being able to deal with the topic.

What are Some Female Vampire Art Pictures?

One of the most famous classic female vampire art pictures is Edward Munch's "Vampire." This simple painting with stark colors shows a red-haired vampire leaning over a man possessively. The woman appears to be naked, a nod to the sensuality of vampire art.

Victoria Frances has created a series of female vampire art paintings encompassing death and beauty in rich detail. Buxom young woman with blood on their teeth and lesbian kisses are sensual in the extreme, while the candles and skulls surrounding them turn death into beauty.

Many old book illustrations by various artists have images of women suckling on mens' necks as they sleep, or vampire bats biting women lounging about in hammocks or on beds. Also popular are movie posters and book illustrations from years gone by. A large percentage of female vampire art comes from these media sources.

Published by Melanie L. Marten

Melanie Marten is self-taught and self-employed. Besides freelance writing, she dabbles in website design and owns dozens of websites and blogs. Work is squeezed in between parenting two boys, homeschoolin...  View profile

9 Comments

Post a Comment
  • Wendy Brumback5/6/2010

    I think adding human emotions to vampires has helped them to gain in popluarity, I love them, I think Anne Rice has created the best Vampires, still very evil yet filled with emotion - enough that you don't mind that they will drink your bood. Interesting article!

  • Gestalt Madness3/31/2010

    Here is the problem. Twilight, was annoying and really messed up version of vampire lore. Though I praise the author for her approach, I just don't like the whole "We Sparkle". As for Beauty and Death, I find it a wonderfully juxtaposed coalition, of darkness and light.

  • T. Hillukka11/30/2009

    I didn't think I'd get into the whole vampire craze, but the Twilight series was surprisingly good.

  • Aurora Aberdeen10/14/2009

    Interesting article, Melanie! I've been wondering about this craze...

  • Tink7/27/2009

    Vampires of both genders have been alluring to the populace, mainly due to the sexual aspects of the whole vampire entity. It's no surprise that the modern arts should still find an audience with these type of depictions. Nice article!

  • Russell Henley7/22/2009

    What can you say, sex sells. Female vampires play to all of a man's senses.

  • Antonio Abreu7/22/2009

    What a great and interesting article. I have always been fascinated with the lifestyle of vampires. I also checked out Victoria Frances artwork. She had great pictures as I have never before known about her. Thanks for sharing!

  • Derek Odom7/21/2009

    I agree with the Twighlight theory; it definitely brought the bloodsuckers back into the light (so to speak hahaha).

  • Angel Sharum7/21/2009

    I need to put a female vampire on the cover of my stories...lol

Displaying Comments

To comment, please sign in to your Yahoo! account, or sign up for a new account.