Elena Rossi
Hulu's comedy series *What We Do in the Shadows* features several paintings that reference the show's characters, including the vampires Nandor the Relentless and Nadja of Antipaxos. In the show's pilot, Nandor admires a portrait of himself in a traditional Islamic style, riding his beloved horse, Jahar. This is a replica of a painting of Mirza Abu’l Hasan Khan, an ambassador from the King of Persia to the Court of King George III, by British artist William Beechy in 1809. Another painting, Jean-Léon Gérôme's oil painting Truth Coming Out of Her Well, is reimagined in the show as a historical record of one of Nadja's vampiric exiles, with the naked woman in the painting representing Nadja.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Painting name | Truth Coming Out of Her Well |
| Artist | Jean-Léon Gérôme |
| Painting medium | Oil |
| Subject | Naked woman |
| Symbolism | Shame brought upon mankind |
| Show context | Vampires offer supernatural explanations for political scandals |
| Show example | Nadja's backstory and rich history |
| Show example | Nandor's miscommunicative mishaps in "Local News" |
| Artist | Instagram user Scadarts |
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What You'll Learn
- The painting 'Truth Coming Out of Her Well' by Jean-Léon Gérôme is reimagined with Nadja at its centre
- The show's world is similar to ours but with tweaks, like political scandals with a supernatural twist
- The painting of Nadja with wings and demon eyes is La Femme Chauve-Souris by Albert Joseph Pénot
- The show features a portrait of Nandor from his human years, dressed in a gold brocade robe
- Another painting of Nandor on horseback is based on a portrait of Karim Khan Zand, founder of the Zand dynasty
The painting 'Truth Coming Out of Her Well' by Jean-Léon Gérôme is reimagined with Nadja at its centre
The painting "Truth Coming Out of Her Well" by Jean-Léon Gérôme is reimagined in the show *What We Do in the Shadows* with Nadja at its centre. This reinterpretation of the painting offers a new perspective on art history, suggesting that the painting is not just a metaphor or sociopolitical commentary but a historical record of Nadja of Antipaxos' vampiric exiles.
In the original painting, Truth is depicted as a naked woman emerging from a well to shame mankind. This interpretation by the show adds a supernatural twist to a well-known work of art, reinforcing the idea that the supernatural has always coexisted with the human world. The painting is used as a visual aid to illustrate Nadja's backstory and rich history, specifically her many exiles and her attempts to reconnect with her culture.
The specific artistic rendering of Nadja at the centre of Gérôme's painting was created by Instagram user Scadarts, who is known for reimagining popular culture icons as epic oil paintings. Scadarts' version of the painting first appears in the episode Local News when the vampires are preparing to flee after Nandor's televised blunder. It serves as a powerful visual representation of Nadja's character arc in Season 5, emphasising her struggle with identity and her journey of self-discovery.
The use of this painting in the show not only adds depth to Nadja's character but also contributes to the unique world-building of *What We Do in the Shadows*. It presents a world that mirrors our own but with supernatural elements woven into mundane events, creating a dual existence where the characters' undying lives intersect with ancient history. This blending of the supernatural and the familiar is a recurring theme in the show, as seen through the various artworks that reveal glimpses of the characters' fearsome pasts.
The reimagined painting of "Truth Coming Out of Her Well" with Nadja as the central figure is a creative way to explore the characters' backstories and the ongoing narrative of the series. It invites viewers to consider the subtle influence of the supernatural in human history and offers a unique interpretation of a classic work of art.
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The show's world is similar to ours but with tweaks, like political scandals with a supernatural twist
The world of What We Do in the Shadows is much like our own, but with a supernatural twist. The show is a vampiric mockumentary that explores the rich backstories of its characters, blending the supernatural with the mundane. For instance, the show features a painting of Nadja of Antipaxos, a naked woman with wings and demon eyes, which is presented as a historical record of one of her vampiric exiles, rather than a metaphor or sociopolitical commentary. This tweak gives a new interpretation to Jean-Léon Gérôme's oil painting "Truth Coming Out of Her Well", placing Nadja at the centre of the artwork.
The show also features a portrait of Nandor, a 760-year-old vampire and former general of the Ottoman Empire, in the opening credits. The painting is a replica of "Portrait of Mirza Abu’l Hasan Khan, Envoy Extraordinary from the King of Persia to the Court of King George III" by British artist William Beechy. In the show, Nandor is assigned to a New York borough, mirroring Mirza Abu’l Hasan's role as an ambassador to London. This blend of the supernatural and the mundane adds a unique duality to the world-building of the show.
The use of art in the show serves as a visual aid, reinforcing the subtle foothold that the supernatural has over human reality. For example, the painting "Truth Coming Out of Her Well" is used to symbolise Nadja's Season 5 narrative, in which she seeks to reconnect with her culture in Little Antipaxos. Similarly, a patinaed portrait of Nandor in a traditional Islamic style is revealed in the show's pilot, depicting him atop his beloved horse, Jahar. This portrait is based on real-life historical portrayals of Ottoman Emperors, such as Karim Khan Zand, founder of the Zand dynasty that ruled Persia from 1751 to 1779.
Through these artistic references, What We Do in the Shadows presents a world that is familiar yet fantastical, where the supernatural exists alongside the everyday. The show offers a unique perspective on political scandals and mundane events, infusing them with a dark and humorous twist that is signature to the series.
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The painting of Nadja with wings and demon eyes is La Femme Chauve-Souris by Albert Joseph Pénot
The popular vampire mockumentary series, What We Do in the Shadows, showcases a range of artworks that reference the characters' rich histories. One such artwork is a painting of Nadja, a female vampire, which is shown a few times in the series. The painting depicts Nadja naked, with wings and demon eyes, and is titled La Femme Chauve-Souris. It is a creation of the artist Albert Joseph Pénot.
The painting makes its first appearance in the series when Laszlo, another vampire character, recalls the time he first met Nadja. The artwork is a well-known image, but its online presence is scarce. The painting is referenced in the series to emphasise Nadja's Season 5 narrative, as she reconnects with her culture in Little Antipaxos.
The series is set in a world similar to that of the viewers but with supernatural elements intertwined with mundane events. The inclusion of historical paintings as visual aids adds depth to the world-building, highlighting the enduring existence of the vampire characters. This duality is a unique aspect of the series, blending lore with sitcom antics.
The painting La Femme Chauve-Souris by Albert Joseph Pénot is a notable example of the art featured in What We Do in the Shadows. By incorporating this artwork, the series adds a layer of intrigue to Nadja's character and underscores the concept of the supernatural coexisting with the human realm.
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The show features a portrait of Nandor from his human years, dressed in a gold brocade robe
The show *What We Do in the Shadows* features a rich tapestry of art woven into its narrative fabric. The series revolves around a group of vampires and their misadventures in the modern world, with a particular focus on Nandor, a 760-year-old vampire and former Ottoman Empire general.
In the show's pilot, Nandor admires a portrait of himself painted in a traditional Islamic style. This portrait, depicting Nandor atop his beloved horse, Jahar, is a typical example of historical portrayals of Ottoman Emperors. The artwork serves as a reminder of Nandor's fearsome past, offering a glimpse into his life before becoming a vampire.
Another notable artwork featured in the show is a portrait of Nandor from his human years. This painting, displayed in the opening credits, showcases Nandor dressed in a gold brocade robe with a fur-trimmed sleeveless vest and a high turban. The painting is an almost exact replica of "Portrait of Mirza Abu’l Hasan Khan, Envoy Extraordinary from the King of Persia to the Court of King George III" by British artist William Beechy in 1809. The resemblance between Nandor and Mirza Abu’l Hasan, who was an object of fascination during his time in England, invites intriguing parallels and hints at a potential muse for Staten Island.
The inclusion of these artistic references adds depth to the character of Nandor, hinting at his prestigious past and the contrast between his former life and his current situation. It also reinforces the show's theme of exploring the subtle foothold the supernatural has over human reality, blurring the lines between the fantastical and the mundane.
Additionally, the show features other artistic interpretations, such as a painting of Nadja, a fellow vampire roommate, which is shown a few times during the show. This painting, "La Femme Chauve-Souris" by Albert Joseph Pénot, depicts Nadja with wings and demon eyes, offering a glimpse into the character's nature and backstory.
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Another painting of Nandor on horseback is based on a portrait of Karim Khan Zand, founder of the Zand dynasty
In the Hulu comedy series What We Do in the Shadows, Kayvan Novak plays Nandor the Relentless, a 760-year-old vampire and former general of the Ottoman Empire. In the show's pilot, Nandor admires a portrait of himself painted in a traditional Islamic style. The painting depicts Nandor sitting atop his beloved horse, Jahar, and is a typical example of historical portrayals of Ottoman Emperors. One such emperor is Karim Khan Zand, the founder of the Zand dynasty that ruled Persia from 1751 to 1779. Karim Khan Zand's horseback portrait likely inspired Nandor's, and it was attributed to the artist Abu’l Hasan Ghaffari Mustawfi Kashani. It was likely completed during Karim Khan's reign in the style of the later Safavid artists.
Nandor's character in What We Do in the Shadows is based on his fearsome past as a terrible army general who pillaged innumerable villages and turned the Euphrates red with blood. However, age has softened him, rendering him less arrogant and almost sweet in his septi-centennial years. The show reveals bits and pieces of his past through artworks, including the portrait of him on horseback, inspired by the portrait of Karim Khan Zand.
Karim Khan Zand was the founder of the Zand dynasty, which ruled Persia from 1751 to 1779. During his reign, Iran found peace and prosperity, recovering from the devastation of 40 years of war. The portrait of Karim Khan Zand on horseback is a well-known example of traditional Islamic art and likely served as the source for Nandor's portrait in the show. The artist Abu’l Hasan Ghaffari Mustawfi Kashani completed the work in the style of the later Safavid artists, likely during Karim Khan's reign.
The inclusion of the portrait of Nandor on horseback, based on the portrait of Karim Khan Zand, serves as a visual aid in What We Do in the Shadows, reinforcing the subtle foothold the supernatural has over human reality. It also helps to build the world of the show, balancing the lore of its supernatural world with the mundane sitcom antics and premises. The portrait of Karim Khan Zand provides a historical context for Nandor's character and hints at his past as a powerful and fearsome leader.
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Frequently asked questions
The painting is called "Truth Coming Out of Her Well".
The painting is by Jean-Léon Gérôme.
The painting depicts a naked woman emerging from a well to shame mankind.
The painting is used as a visual aid to reinforce the subtle foothold the supernatural has over human reality. It also serves to further Nadja's Season 5 character arc.
Yes, another painting featured in the show is a portrait of Nandor from his human years, which is an almost exact replica of "Portrait of Mirza Abu’l Hasan Khan, Envoy Extraordinary from the King of Persia to the Court of King George III" by British artist William Beechy.
![Historic Framed Print, [Man (vampire?) embracing unconscious naked woman; full moon and castle in background], 17-7/8" x 21-7/8"](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/416TfIHQTFL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
